Electromechanical switching device and emergency shut-off and communication system utilizing same

ABSTRACT

A switch assembly ( 1 ) comprises a push-button section ( 52 ) and a push-button body ( 53 ) as an operation transmitting member, an LED box ( 54 ) and a contact-making contact ( 56 ) as a direct functioning member, and a communication-function incorporating contact (communications contact) ( 55 ) as an information input/output functioning member, as permitting these components to be connected with each other. Therefore, the switch assembly can respond to an operation given to the push-button body ( 52 ) by causing the contact-making contact ( 56 ) to provide an output for switching between a conductive state and a non-conductive state and by causing the communications contact ( 55 ) to output an information signal to a network.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an electrical component comprising acombination of plural functioning members, as well as to an emergencystop system and a communications apparatus including the same.

BACKGROUND ART

There has been known a switch assembly, such as shown in FIG. 63 forexample, as an electrical component for use in a bus-system network andthe like which communicates a communication signal composed of a voltagesignal by way of two bus lines. A switch assembly 1 comprises a pressingsection 2, an operating shaft 3, an adaptor 4 and acommunication-function incorporating contact 5.

The pressing section 2 accepts an operation given by an operator. Theoperator can change the state of the contact 5 by depressing thepressing section 2 in a direction of an arrow Y1. At this time, theoperating shaft 3 shifts its position in association with the movementof the pressing section 2.

On the other hand, the communication-function incorporating contact 5includes a switch section 7 serving as a switch for switching contacts.The switch section 7 is operated in conjunction with the operating shaft3. Specifically, when the operator depresses the pressing section 2 inthe direction of the arrow Y1, the operating shaft 3 is slidably movedin an direction of an arrow Y2 to depress the switch section 7 of thecontact 5 in a direction of an arrow Y3 thereby changing the sate of theswitch assembly 1. This causes the communication-function incorporatingcontact 5 to output a communication signal.

The adaptor 4 includes one contact mounting portion 9. This contactmounting portion 9 is capable of mounting a single contact.

FIG. 64 is a connection diagram in which the switch assembly 1 isconnected to a network with a bus line BL by way of thecommunication-function incorporating contact 5 thereof. Thecommunication-function incorporating contact 5 is connected to a CPU 15via the bus line BL. The CPU 15 is adapted to receive an informationcommunication signal issued by the communication-function incorporatingcontact 5.

The communication-function incorporating contact 5 outputs an ON or OFFsignal depending upon the operation given by the operator. The CPU 15receives this signal to control the operations of a motor M1 via anotherCPU 17.

The switch assembly 1 of such a configuration has the followingdrawbacks. Specifically, the switch assembly 1 with thecommunication-function incorporating contact 5 may be connected to thebus-system network so that an integral management may be provided forcontrolling the state of the switch assembly the same way as the otherdevices connected to the bus-system network are controlled.

However, the aforesaid switch assembly 1 is incapable of transmittingthe operation of the operator directly to a target device. Morespecifically, the communication-function incorporating contact 5 isarranged as follows. When the operator manipulates a push button 11, thecommunication-function incorporating contact 5 transmits an informationpiece corresponding to the operation of the push button to the CPU 15which is connected therewith. The CPU 15, in turn, issues a command tothe device and the like.

If, at this time, the CPU 15 is disabled due to some abnormality, theoperation given by the operator will never be transmitted to the targetdevice. This leads to a disadvantage particularly when the power supplyto the apparatus must be shut off in an urgent condition such asemergency stop.

On the other hand, it may be contemplated that a switch assemblyincorporating no communication function is used instead of the switchassembly 1 with the communication-function incorporating contact 5 shownin FIG. 63. In a case where a plurality of switch assemblies of thistype are disposed on an electric switchboard, wirings on a back side ofthe electric switchboard are as shown in FIG. 65. There is a problemthat a large volume of complicated wirings is required for theconnection of the individual switch assemblies.

In the general bus-system network, two bus lines (+V line and 0V line)are used, as the aforesaid bus line BL (see FIG. 64), for communicatingthe communication signal composed of voltage signal. The switch assembly1 with the communication-function incorporating contact 5 is connectedto such a bus-system network as shown in FIG. 66, for example.

As seen in FIG. 66, the circuitry of the switch assembly 1 is made up ofthe communication-function incorporating contact 5 (hereinafter referredto as “communications contact”) and a switch section 21. Thecommunications contact 5 comprises an integrated communication circuitincorporating an input interface 22 (hereafter the interface isabbreviated as “I/F”), having a positive supply terminal Vin thereofconnected to a positive +V bus line B1 as well as a zero-volt terminal Zand a ground terminal GND thereof connected to a reference 0V bus lineB2. On the other hand, transmission terminals INP, INM of thecommunications contact 5 are connected to the both bus lines B1, B2. Thecommunications contact 5 communicates the communication signal ofvoltage signal superimposed on the bus lines B1, B2.

By the way, the switch section 21 is connected to an input terminal Dinof the input I/F 22. Manipulating the switch section 21 switches thelevel of the input terminal Din of the input I/F 22, thereby changingthe operation mode of the communications contact 5. The switch section21 conventionally employs a switch 21 a of a contact-makingconfiguration. A large capacitor 21 b is connected in parallel with theswitch 21 a for preventing chattering at On/Off switching operations.

The switch 21 a and the capacitor 21 b constitute the switch section 21.It is noted that a reference character 23 denotes a pull-up resistor forthe input terminal Din of the input I/F 22.

Unfortunately, if the switch section 21 comprises the switch 21 a of thecontact-making configuration, a high current need be conducted in orderto ensure stable operations of the switch. This results in an increasedamount of heat generation, which leads to a fear of degrading thequality or reliability of the component. Particularly where the switchsections 21 are collectively disposed, it is difficult to spare anadequate space for heat release and an even greater amount of heatgeneration results. Furthermore, the high current value constitutes adrawback of increase in the power consumption. In addition, theprovision of the capacitor 21 b for preventing the chattering results inan increased size of the switch section 21.

As shown in FIG. 66, it is a conventional practice to connect asurge-absorbing Zener diode 25 between the transmission terminals INP,INM for removal of surge noises invading the transmission terminals INP,INM of the communications contact 5 via the bus lines B1, B2.

In such a bus-system network, all the communications contacts 5 areconnected in parallel with the transmission lines. Accordingly, thetransmission path inclusive of the communications contacts 5 must have asmall capacity in order to provide high-speed communications ofcommunication signals of voltage signals between the pluralcommunications contacts 5. Furthermore, it is preferred to limit thecapacity between the transmission terminals INP, INM of thecommunications contact 5 to the minimum possible level in order topermit the greatest possible number of communications apparatuses to beconnected to the network.

Unfortunately, a single Zener diode 25 is limited in the ability toaccomplish the reduction of the capacity between the transmissionterminals INP, INM. Thus, it has been impossible for a single Zenerdiode 25 to accomplish a sufficient reduction of the capacity of thetransmission path inclusive of the communications contacts 5.

On the other hand, each of the communications contacts 5 must have ahigh impedance for holding a high impedance of the overall transmissionpath thereby ensuring that waveforms of the voltage signals as thecommunication signals are correctly communicated among the pluralcommunications contacts 5 in the bus-system network. A coil is used asmeans for increasing the impedance of the communications contact 5.Particularly, an open magnetic circuit coil, which is less costly than aclosed magnetic circuit coil, has conventionally been employed from thestandpoint of cost-effectiveness.

The open magnetic circuit coil consists of a hollow bobbin and windingswound thereover. As shown in FIGS. 67, and 68, for example, an openmagnetic circuit coil 27 is often disposed substantially at a center ofan assembly body 28 or 29 of the switch assembly 1 incorporating thecommunications contact 5. In this case, the coil 27 is disposed in amanner that an axis of the coil 27 is in parallel with a directionorthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the assembly body 28 or 29.

However, the assembly body 28 or 29 with the coil 27 disposedsubstantially at the center thereof encounters the following problem. Ina case where plural switch assemblies 1 individually incorporating thecommunications contacts 5 therein are arranged in juxtaposition,magnetic fluxes from adjoining coils 27 interfere with each other so asto cancel depending upon the orientations of the coils 27 as shown inFIGS. 67 and 68 (arrows in FIGS. 68 and 69 indicate the directions ofthe magnetic fluxes). As a result, the coils are decreased ininductance.

Therefore, the individual switch assemblies 1 must be juxtaposed as thecommunications contacts 5 spaced from one another to a degree that themagnetic fluxes from the adjoining coils 27 are kept out ofinterference. Otherwise, as shown in FIG. 70, the individual switchassemblies 1 incorporating the communications contacts 5 must bearranged in a manner that the adjoining coils 27 are positioned todirect the magnetic fluxes therefrom in orthogonal relation (asindicated by the arrows in FIG. 70) thereby keeping the magnetic fluxestherefrom out of interference. In either case, an increased installationspace results.

It is a first object of the present invention to provide an electricalcomponent, such as a switch assembly, which permits an integralmanagement through network and contributes to space saving, and whichpermits the operation or the like given by the operator to directlyaffect the target device thereby ensuring the operation of the targetdevice.

It is a second object of the present invention to provide an emergencystop system featuring more safe and reliable operations.

It is a third object of the present invention to accomplish an extendedservice life and reduced power consumption of switch means for use in acommunications apparatus employing the above electrical component.

It is a fourth object of the present invention to reduce the capacity ofthe overall transmission path in the network by decreasing the capacityof the communications apparatus.

It is a fifth object of the present invention to achieve an increasedimpedance of the communications apparatus without increasing the sizethereof.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention for achieving the above-mentionedfirst object, the electrical component comprises a combination of aplurality of functioning members of different functions which eachperform a predetermined input and/or output operation, wherein thefunctioning members are each driven by one or more driving members. Inthis case, the functioning members may preferably include at least adirect functioning member providing an output for switching between aconductive state and a non-conductive state, and an informationinput/output functioning member for inputting and/or outputting aninformation signal.

Such a configuration provides a compact combination of pluralfunctioning members of different functions such as the directfunctioning member and the information input/output functioning member,thus contributing to the reduction of installation space. Furthermore,the configuration permits a single driving unit to positively drive theplural functioning members of different functions such as the directfunctioning member and the information input/output functioning member.

The electrical component according to the present invention ischaracterized in that the driving member includes an operationtransmitting member receiving an operation given by an operator andtransmitting the received operation, and that the functioning membersare each connected to the operation transmitting member for receivingthe operation transmitted from the operation transmitting member.

Such a configuration permits the operation transmitting member totransmit the operation of the operator to the respective functioningmembers and to switch each of the functioning members to a predeterminedoutput state based on a content of the operation.

The electrical component according to the present invention ischaracterized in that the functioning members include at least a directfunctioning member providing an output for switching between aconductive state and a non-conductive state according to the operationtransmitted from the operation transmitting member, and an informationinput/output functioning member for inputting and/or outputting aninformation signal corresponding to the operation transmitted from theoperation transmitting member.

According to such a configuration, the operation transmitting membercauses the direct functioning member to provide an output for switchingto the conductive state or to the non-conductive state depending uponthe content of the operation as well as switches the informationinput/output functioning member to an information signal receiving stateand/or an information signal outputting state.

The electrical component according to the present invention ischaracterized in that the functioning members include at least a directfunctioning member providing an output for switching between aconductive state and a non-conductive state according to the operationtransmitted from the operation transmitting member, and an informationinput/output functioning member for inputting and/or outputting aninformation signal corresponding to a received input.

According to such a configuration, the operation transmitting membercauses the direct functioning member to provide an output for switchingto the conductive state or to the non-conductive state depending uponthe content of the operation as well as switches the informationinput/output functioning member to an information signal receiving stateand/or an information signal outputting state.

The electrical component according to the present invention ischaracterized in that the operation transmitting member includes anoperation receiving member for receiving the operation given by theoperator, and an adaptor member including an operation-receiving-memberdedicated connection portion for connection with the operation receivingmember, and a functioning-member dedicated connection portion having astandardized configuration for connecting the functioning member. Such aconfiguration permits the operation receiving member and the functioningmember to be interconnected via the adaptor member.

The electrical component according to the present invention ischaracterized in that the operation transmitting member includes anoperation member directly receiving the operation given by the operator,and an operation connection member including a functioning-memberdedicated connection portion having a standardized configuration forconnecting the functioning member, and that the operation member and theoperation connection member are combined by means of anoperation-adaptor member. Such a configuration facilitates theconnection of the operation member and the operation connection member,the connection structures of which are not compatible with each other.

The electrical component according to the present invention ischaracterized in that the driving member includes an operationtransmitting member receiving an operation given by an operator andtransmitting the received operation, that the operation transmittingmember incorporates therein at least either one of a direct functioningmember, as the functioning member, providing an output for switchingbetween a conductive state and a non-conductive state according to theoperation transmitted from the operation transmitting member, and aninformation input/output functioning member, as the functioning member,for inputting and/or outputting an information signal corresponding tothe operation transmitted from the operation transmitting member, thatat least either one of the information input/output functioning memberand the direct functioning member is designed to be connectable, andthat either the direct functioning member or the informationinput/output functioning member that is incorporated in the operationtransmitting member, and either the information input/output functioningmember or the direct functioning member that is connected with theoperation transmitting member are both designed to function in responseto the operation.

Such a configuration dispenses with a procedure for connecting thedirect functioning member or the information input/output functioningmember.

The electrical component according to the present invention ischaracterized in that the operation transmitting member includes anoperation receiving member for receiving an operation given by anoperator, and an adaptor member including an operation-receiving-memberdedicated connection portion for connection with the operation receivingmember, and a functioning-member dedicated connection portion having astandardized configuration for connecting the functioning member, andthat either the direct functioning member or the informationinput/output functioning member that is incorporated in the operationtransmitting member is incorporated in the adaptor member.

Such a configuration permits a concurrent use of the adaptor member andthe direct functioning member or the information input/outputfunctioning member.

The electrical component according to the present invention ischaracterized in that the direct functioning member or the informationinput/output functioning member includes a lighting component. Such aconfiguration permits a concurrent use of the direct functioning memberor the information input/output functioning member and the lightingcomponent.

The electrical component according to the present invention ischaracterized in that the operation transmitting member or the adaptormember includes a lighting component. Such a configuration permits aconcurrent use of the operation transmitting member or the adaptormember and the lighting component.

The electrical component according to the present invention ischaracterized in that the operation transmitting member is designed tobe connectable with the functioning member including a lightingcomponent performing a lighting operation under control of a controlunit. Such a configuration permits the use of the functioning memberincluding the lighting component performing the lighting operation undercontrol of the control unit.

The electrical component according to the present invention ischaracterized in that the operation transmitting member is designed tobe connectable with the functioning member including a lightingcomponent performing a lighting operation under control of a controlunit, and that the functioning member with the lighting component andthe information input/output functioning member are designed to be indirect electrical connection with each other. Such a configurationpermits the information input/output functioning member and thefunctioning member with the lighting component to directly communicatean electrical signal with each other.

The electrical component according to the present invention ischaracterized in that the lighting component is of a power saving, highluminance type. Such a configuration accomplishes a reduced powerconsumption of the lighting component performing the lighting operationwhile enhancing the luminance of the lighting component.

The electrical component according to the present invention ischaracterized in that the operation transmitting member is connectablewith an intermediary member for providing the functioning member with anoperation output corresponding to the operation given to the operationtransmitting member. Such a configuration permits the operation given tothe operation transmitting member to be outputted to the functioningmember via the intermediary member.

The electrical component according to the present invention ischaracterized in that the adaptor member is designed to permit theconnection of an intermediary member with the functioning-memberdedicated connection portion, the intermediary member providing thefunctioning member with an operation output corresponding to theoperation given to the operation transmitting member. Such aconfiguration permits the use of the intermediary member regardless ofthe use of the adaptor member.

The electrical component according to the present invention ischaracterized in that the operation transmitting member includes aplurality of connection portions permitting the direct functioningmember and the information input/output functioning member to beconcurrently connected therewith. Such a configuration permits thedirect functioning member connected via the connection portion toprovide an output for switching between a conductive state and anon-conductive state while placing the information input/outputfunctioning member in a state to receive the information signal and/or astate to output the information signal.

The electrical component according to the present invention ischaracterized in that the direct functioning member to be connected withthe operation transmitting member includes anoperation-transmitting-member dedicated connection portion forconnection with the operation transmitting member, and that theinformation input/output functioning member includes anoperation-transmitting-member dedicated connection portion which iscompatible with the operation-transmitting-member dedicated connectionportion of the direct functioning member.

Such a configuration permits the operation-transmitting member to beconnected with the information input/output functioning member, in placeof the direct functioning member to be connected therewith.

The electrical component according to the present invention ischaracterized in that the information input/output functioning member tobe connected with the operation transmitting member includes anoperation-transmitting-member dedicated connection portion forconnection with the operation transmitting member, and that the directfunctioning member includes an operation-transmitting-member dedicatedconnection portion which is compatible with theoperation-transmitting-member dedicated connection portion of theinformation input/output functioning member.

Such a configuration permits the operation transmitting member to beconnected with the direct functioning member, in place of theinformation input/output functioning member to be connected therewith.

The electrical component according to the present invention ischaracterized in that the functioning member is designed to receive anoperation outputted from the intermediary member. Such a configurationpermits the functioning member to receive the operation via theintermediary member.

The electrical component according to the present invention ischaracterized in that the intermediary member changes an operatingdirection of the operation received from the operation transmittingmember and then outputs the resultant operation to the functioningmember. Such a configuration permits the operation outputted from theoperation transmitting member to be changed in the operating directionbefore outputted to the functioning member.

The electrical component according to the present invention ischaracterized in that the intermediary member provides the functioningmember with the operation received from the operation transmittingmember as maintaining an operating direction thereof as it is. Such aconfiguration permits the operation outputted from the operationtransmitting member to be outputted to the functioning member withoutbeing changed in operating direction.

The electrical component according to the present invention ischaracterized in that the operation transmitting member and eachfunctioning member are formed in one piece. Such a configurationprovides a more compact electrical component.

The electrical component according to the present invention ischaracterized in that the operation transmitting member includes anoperation receiving member for receiving the operation given by theoperator; an adaptor member having an operation-receiving-memberdedicated connection portion for connection with the operation receivingmember and a functioning-member dedicated connection portion forconnecting the functioning member; and a functioning member having anadaptor-member dedicated connection portion to be connected with thefunctioning-member dedicated connection portion of the adaptor member.

Such a configuration permits the operation receiving member and thefunctioning member to be interconnected via the adaptor member.

The electrical component according to the present invention ischaracterized in that the adaptor member has a plurality offunctioning-member dedicated connection portions, thus designed topermit a part of or the all of the functioning-member dedicatedconnection portions to be concurrently connected with a plurality offunctioning members. Such a configuration permits one or morefunctioning members to be connected with the functioning-memberdedicated connection portions of the adaptor member.

The electrical component according to the present invention ischaracterized in that the operation transmitting member includes: anoperation receiving member having a plurality of adaptor-memberdedicated connection portions and receiving the operation given by theoperator; and an adaptor member having a functioning-member dedicatedconnection portion for connecting the functioning member and designed tobe connectable with a part of or the all of the adaptor-member dedicatedconnection portions at a time.

Such a configuration permits the adaptor member to be concurrentlyconnected with a part of or the all of the plural adaptor-memberdedicated connection portions of the operation receiving member.

The electrical component according to the present invention ischaracterized in that the functioning member includes afunctioning-member dedicated connection portion for connecting any oneof the other functioning members. Such a configuration permitsconnection between the functioning members.

The electrical component according to the present invention ischaracterized in that the adaptor member incorporates therein any one ofthe functioning members except for the functioning member connectedtherewith. According to such a configuration, two types of functioningmembers can be used by utilizing the adaptor member.

The electrical component according to the present invention ischaracterized in that the adaptor member incorporates therein a lightingcomponent. According to such a configuration, the use of the adaptormember permits the lighting component to be used concurrently.

The electrical component according to the present invention ischaracterized in that the lighting component is of a power saving, highluminance type. Such a configuration accomplishes a reduced powerconsumption of the lighting component performing the lighting operationwhile enhancing the luminance of the lighting component.

The electrical component according to the present invention ischaracterized in that the adaptor member changes an operation strokeand/or an operation position received by the operation receiving memberand then provides the resultant operation to the functioning member.Such a configuration permits the stroke or the operation position of theoperation receiving member to be changed.

The electrical component according to the present invention ischaracterized in that the operation-receiving-member dedicatedconnection portion of the adaptor member includes a base member fixed tothe operation receiving member, and a fixing member for fixing a mainbody of the adaptor member to the base member. Such a configurationpermits the operation receiving member and the fixing member to be fixedto each other by mean of the base member and the adaptor member.

The electrical component according to the present invention ischaracterized in that the adaptor member includes an intermediary-memberdedicated connection portion for connecting the intermediary member forproviding the functioning member with an operation output correspondingto the operation given to the adaptor member, and that theintermediary-member dedicated connection portion has a standardizedconfiguration with respect to the operation-receiving-member dedicatedconnection portion and the functioning-member dedicated connectionportion.

Such a configuration permits the intermediary member to be connectedwith a member connectable with the functioning member such as theoperation transmitting member, adaptor member and the like, obviatingthe need for differentiating the intermediate member from thefunctioning member.

The electrical component according to the present invention ischaracterized in that the operation transmitting member includes: anoperation member directly receiving the operation given by the operator;an operation-adaptor member having an operation-member dedicatedconnection portion for connection with the operation member, and anoperation-connection-member dedicated connection portion; and anoperation connection member having an operation-adaptor-member dedicatedconnection portion for connecting the operation-adaptor member and afunctioning-member dedicated connection portion having a standardizedconfiguration for connecting the functioning member, and being connectedwith the operation-connection-member dedicated connection portion.

Such a configuration permits the operation member and the operationconnection member to be interconnected via the operation-adaptor member.

The electrical component according to the present invention ischaracterized in that the operation-adaptor member changes an operationstroke and/or an operation position received by the operation member andthen provides the resultant operation to the functioning member. Such aconfiguration permits the operation receiving member to be changed in atleast either one of the operation stroke and the operation position.

The electrical component according to the present invention ischaracterized in that the functioning member includes a lightingcomponent having a front-member dedicated connection portion forconnection with a front member for indication and performing a lightingoperation via the front member, and that the front-member dedicatedconnection portion has a configuration compatible with that of thedirect functioning member or the information input/output functioningmember.

Such a configuration provides a functioning member including thelighting component with the front-member dedicated connection portioncompatible with the direct functioning member and the informationinput/output functioning member.

The electrical component according to the present invention ischaracterized in that each of the functioning members is contained in acasing, that the operation transmitting member is mounted to the casingas allowed to transmit the operation given by the operator, and that theoperation transmitting member and each functioning member are integratedinto a unit block.

Such a configuration contributes to the reduction of wirings in thebus-system network, for example, because the operation transmittingmember and each functioning member are integrated into a unit block.This facilitates the installation of the network and also reduces theinstallation space for the network as a whole.

The electrical component according to the present invention ischaracterized in that the functioning members include a directfunctioning member providing an output for switching between aconductive state and a non-conductive state and an informationinput/output functioning member for inputting and/or outputting aninformation signal, that the direct functioning member and theinformation input/output functioning member are respectively containedin two sub-casings in detachably connected relation, that the operationtransmitting member is mounted to either one of the sub-casings asallowed to transmit the operation given by the operator, and that theoperation transmitting member and each of the functioning members areunified. In this case, the sub-casings each may take the form of aconnector detachably-connected with the other.

According to such a configuration, the two sub-casings contain thedirect functioning member and the information input/output functioningmember or take the form of a connector, thereby contributing anefficient mounting, maintenance and design of these functioning members.

The electrical component according to the present invention ischaracterized in that the a communications contact of the informationinput/output functioning member has a plurality of output ports forproviding control to output devices including the lighting component andthe like, and that the same output is assigned to two or more of theplural output ports.

Such a configuration contributes to the reduction of the installationspace because the efficient use of the output ports permits theelimination of an additional output port employed for the same purpose.

According to the present invention for achieving the above-mentionedsecond object, the emergency stop system employing the above electricalcomponent comprises an emergency control unit responding to theinformation signal from the information input/output functioning memberby providing control as to whether a control target is brought into anemergency stop or not and is characterized in that the informationinput/output functioning member is connected to the emergency controlunit whereas the direct functioning member is connected to the controltarget, and that the direct functioning member brings the control targetinto an emergency stop according to the operation given to theelectrical component by the operator whereas the emergency control unitbrings the control target into an emergency stop according to theinformation signal inputted to and/or outputted from the informationinput/output functioning member.

Such a configuration is adapted to transmit the operation given by theoperator to the target device even if a controller of the network isinoperative due to failure. Therefore, the power to the target devicecan be shut off particularly in the event of an emergency situation suchas an emergency stop. Thus, a more reliable emergency stop system isprovided.

According to the present invention for achieving the above-mentionedthird object, the communications apparatus for use in a bus-systemnetwork employing the above electrical component and communicating acommunication signal of voltage signal via two bus lines, the apparatuscomprises a communications contact having a communication function, andswitch means comprising an operation section for inputting the signal tothe communications contact, and is characterized in that the operationsection has a contactless switching contact configuration.

According to such a configuration wherein the operation section of theswitch means has the contactless switching contact configuration, theoperation section is increased in longevity as compared with theconventional contact-making configuration. Furthermore, the powerconsumption is reduced because the need for flowing high current isdispensed with.

The communications apparatus according to the present invention ischaracterized in that the operation section comprises a photointerruptorincluding a light emitting device and a photo acceptance unit, and alight-shielding member to block light emitted from the light emittingdevice to the photo acceptance unit in conjunction with a depressingoperation.

According to such a configuration wherein the operation section of theswitch means comprises the photointerruptor and the light-shieldingmember, the operation section does not require the high current flowunlike the conventional contact-making configuration. Hence, theincreased longevity and the decreased power consumption of the operationsection are accomplished.

The communications apparatus according to the present invention ischaracterized in that the operation section comprises a Hall element anda magnet having the number of lines of magnetic flux varied inconjunction with the depressing operation, the lines of magnetic fluxintersecting the Hall element. In this case, the operation section maycomprise a magnetic resistance element and a magnet having the number oflines of magnetic flux varied in conjunction with the depressingoperation, the line of magnetic flux intersecting the magneticresistance element.

According to such a configuration, the use of the Hall element or themagnetic resistance element provides the increased longevity and thedecreased power consumption of the operation section as compared withthe conventional contact-making configuration.

The communications apparatus according to the present invention whereinthe operation section of the switch means comprises the photointerruptorand the light-shielding member, the apparatus further comprises acurrent control portion which responds to a movement of thelight-shielding member by controlling a carrying current into the lightemitting device to a set value for a fixed period of time starting thetime when the light from the light emitting device enters the photoacceptance unit, and a retaining section which responds to a movement ofthe light-shielding member by retaining a level of the input signal tothe communications contact for a period of time between the time whenthe light from the light emitting device enters the photo acceptanceunit and the time when the light from the light emitting device isblocked.

According to such a configuration, the current control portion controlsthe carrying current into the light emitting device to the set value forthe predetermined period of time starting from the time when the lightfrom the light emitting device enters the photo acceptance unit.Therefore, the carrying current can be decreased to a value smaller thanthe set value after the lapse of the predetermined period of time, thusresulting in the decreased power consumption.

In addition, the retaining section retains the level of the input signalto the communications contact during the period of time between the timewhen the light from the light emitting device enters the photoacceptance unit and the time when the light from the light emittingdevice is blocked by the light-shielding member, thereby ensuring thatthe switch means is maintained in the operative state.

According to the present invention for achieving the above-mentionedfourth object, the communications apparatus comprises a plurality ofsurge absorbing elements arranged in series between two transmissionterminals of the communications contact which are connected to the twobus lines.

According to such a configuration, if a Zener diode is used as the surgeabsorbing element, for example, each of the Zener diodes connected inseries presents a smaller capacitance at PN junction than where a singleZener diode is used. Hence, the communications apparatus may present adecreased capacitance between the transmission terminals whilemaintaining a sufficient surge resistance.

According to the present invention for achieving the above-mentionedfifth object, the communications apparatus comprises a coil disposed ina main body thereof and is characterized in that in a case where aplural number of the communications apparatus bodies are collectivelyarranged, the coils are located at places shifted from a line through asubstantial center of adjoining surfaces of the communications apparatusbodies. In this case, it is preferred that the coils in the respectiveapparatus bodies are substantially aligned on a line when the pluralapparatus bodies are collectively arranged as directing the magneticfluxes from the respective coils therein in the same direction, whereasthe coils are disposed in the respective apparatus bodies in shiftedrelation with an individual adjacent coil thereto when the pluralapparatus bodies are collectively arranged as directing the magneticfluxes from the respective coils therein in the opposite direction tothe magnetic flux from an individual adjoining coil thereto.

According to such a configuration, when plural communicationsapparatuses are collectively arranged, the coils therein aresubstantially aligned on a line as directing the magnetic fluxestherefrom in the same direction, or the coils are disposed in shiftedrelation with one another so that the magnetic fluxes from adjoiningcoils are in the opposite direction. Hence, the magnetic fluxes from therespective coils are prevented from canceling one another so that adecreased impedance of the communications apparatus can be avoided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a disassembled oblique perspective view of a switch assemblyaccording to a first embodiment hereof as seen from the front side;

FIG. 2 is a disassembled oblique perspective view of the switch assemblyof the first embodiment as seen form the rear side;

FIG. 3 is a disassembled oblique perspective view of a part of theswitch assembly of the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a disassembled oblique perspective view of another part of theswitch assembly of the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a disassembled oblique perspective view of yet another part ofthe switch assembly of the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a group of explanatory diagrams of an operation of the switchassembly of the first embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a group of explanatory diagrams of an operation of the switchassembly of the first embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a connection block diagram of the switch assembly of the firstembodiment in use;

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the switch assembly of the firstembodiment in use;

FIG. 10 is an oblique perspective view showing an exemplary modificationof the switch assembly of the first embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a connection block diagram showing a circuit configuration ofan exemplary modification of the switch assembly of the firstembodiment;

FIG. 12 is a disassembled oblique perspective view of a switch assemblyaccording to a second embodiment hereof;

FIG. 13 is a disassembled oblique perspective view of the switchassembly of the second embodiment in use;

FIG. 14 is a disassembled oblique perspective view of an exemplarymodification of the switch assembly of the second embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a disassembled oblique perspective view of a part of a switchassembly according to a third embodiment hereof;

FIG. 16 is a disassembled oblique perspective view of a switch assemblyaccording to a fourth embodiment hereof;

FIG. 17 is a disassembled oblique perspective view of a switch assemblyaccording to a fifth embodiment hereof as seen from the front side;

FIG. 18 is a disassembled oblique perspective view of the switchassembly of the fifth embodiment as seen from the rear side;

FIG. 19 is an oblique perspective view of the switch assembly of thefifth embodiment in use as seen from the rear side;

FIG. 20 is an oblique perspective view for explaining an operation of apart of the switch assembly of the fifth embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a disassembled oblique perspective view of a switch assemblyaccording to a sixth embodiment hereof as seen form the rear side;

FIG. 22 is a disassembled oblique perspective view of an exemplarymodification of the switch assembly of the sixth embodiment as seen fromthe rear side;

FIG. 23 is a disassembled oblique perspective view of a switch assemblyaccording to a seventh embodiment hereof as seen from the rear side;

FIG. 24 is a sectional view of a switch assembly according to an eighthembodiment hereof;

FIG. 25 is a sectional view taken on the line A—A in FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a group of explanatory diagrams of an operation of the switchassembly of the eighth embodiment;

FIG. 27 is a disassembled oblique perspective view of a part of theswitch assembly of the eighth embodiment;

FIG. 28 is an oblique perspective view of an exemplary modification ofthe switch assembly of the eighth embodiment;

FIG. 29 is a disassembled oblique perspective view of a switch assemblyaccording to a ninth embodiment hereof as seen form the rear side;

FIG. 30 is an oblique perspective view of a part of a switch assemblyaccording to a tenth embodiment hereof;

FIG. 31 is a partially cutaway side view showing an internalconfiguration of a switch assembly according to an eleventh embodimenthereof;

FIG. 32 is a group of explanatory diagrams of an operation of a switchassembly according to a twelfth embodiment hereof;

FIG. 33 is a disassembled oblique perspective view of a switch assemblyaccording to a thirteenth embodiment hereof as seen from the rear side;

FIG. 34 is an oblique perspective view of a part of the switch assemblyof the thirteenth embodiment;

FIG. 35 is a disassembled oblique perspective view of an indicator lampaccording to a fourteenth embodiment hereof as seen from the front side;

FIG. 36 is an oblique perspective view of a switch module with lampaccording to a fifteenth embodiment hereof as seen from the rear side;

FIG. 37 is a sectional view showing an internal configuration of theswitch module with lamp of the fifteenth embodiment;

FIG. 38 is a connection block diagram of a part of a switch module withlamp according to a sixteenth embodiment hereof;

FIG. 39 is a disassembled oblique perspective view of a switch modulewith lamp according to a seventeenth embodiment hereof as seen from therear side;

FIG. 40 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of the switch modulewith lamp of the seventeenth embodiment;

FIG. 41 is a disassembled oblique perspective view of a part of a switchmodule with lamp according to an eighteenth embodiment hereof;

FIG. 42 is a disassembled oblique perspective view of a switch modulewith lamp according to a nineteenth embodiment hereof;

FIG. 43 is a connection block diagram of a communications apparatusaccording to a twentieth embodiment hereof;

FIG. 44 is a connection diagram of a part of the communicationsapparatus of the twentieth embodiment;

FIG. 45 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a part of thecommunications apparatus of the twentieth embodiment;

FIG. 46 is a timing chart for explaining an operation of thecommunications apparatus of the twentieth embodiment;

FIG. 47 is a connection block diagram of a communications apparatusaccording to a twenty-first embodiment hereof;

FIG. 48 is a connection diagram of a part of the communicationsapparatus of the twenty-first embodiment;

FIG. 49 is a timing chart for explaining an operation of thecommunications apparatus of the twenty-first embodiment;

FIG. 50 is a connection diagram of a part of a communications apparatusaccording to a twenty-second embodiment hereof;

FIG. 51 is a timing chart for explaining an operation of thecommunications apparatus of the twenty-second embodiment;

FIG. 52 is a connection block diagram of a communications apparatusaccording to a twenty-third embodiment hereof;

FIG. 53 is a schematic diagram of a configuration of a part of acommunications apparatus according to a twenty-fourth embodiment hereof;

FIG. 54 is a connection block diagram of a part of the communicationsapparatus of the twenty-fourth embodiment;

FIG. 55 is a schematic diagram of a configuration of a part of acommunications apparatus according to a twenty-fifth embodiment hereof;

FIG. 56 is a connection diagram of a communications apparatus accordingto a twenty-sixth embodiment hereof;

FIG. 57 is an explanatory graph of an operation of the communicationsapparatus of the twenty-sixth embodiment;

FIG. 58 is a side view of a communications apparatus according to atwenty-seventh embodiment hereof;

FIG. 59 is an oblique perspective view of the communications apparatusof the twenty-seventh embodiment in one use;

FIG. 60 is a plan view of the communications apparatus of thetwenty-seventh embodiment in another use;

FIG. 61 is an oblique perspective view of the communications apparatusof the twenty-seventh embodiment in yet another use;

FIG. 62 is a plan view of the communications apparatus of thetwenty-seventh embodiment in still another use;

FIG. 63 is a disassembled oblique perspective view of a conventionalswitch assembly;

FIG. 64 is a connection block diagram of the conventional switchassembly in use;

FIG. 65 is an explanatory diagram of the conventional switch assembly inuse;

FIG. 66 is connection block diagram of a conventional communicationsapparatus;

FIG. 67 is an oblique perspective view of the conventionalcommunications apparatus in one use;

FIG. 68 is a plan view of the conventional communications apparatus inanother use;

FIG. 69 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of the conventionalcommunications apparatus; and

FIG. 70 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of the conventionalcommunications apparatus.

BEST MODES FOR PRACTICING THE INVENTION

(First Embodiment)

A switch assembly according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11. It is notedthat FIG. 1 is a disassembled oblique perspective view of the switchassembly as seen from the front side; FIG. 2 a disassembled obliqueperspective view thereof as seen from the rear side; FIG. 3 adisassembled oblique perspective view of a part thereof; FIG. 4 adisassembled oblique perspective view of another part thereof; FIG. 5 anoblique perspective view of yet another part thereof; FIGS. 6 and 7explanatory diagrams of an operation thereof; FIG. 8 a connection blockdiagram of the switch assembly in use; FIG. 9 an explanatory diagram ofthe switch assembly in use; FIG. 10 an oblique perspective view of anexemplary modification thereof; and FIG. 11 a connection block diagramshowing a circuit configuration of the assembly of FIG. 10.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a switch assembly 51 comprises a push-buttonsection 52, a push-button body 53, an LED box 54, acommunication-function incorporating contact (hereinafter referred to as“communications contact”) 55, and a contact-making contact 56. Now,description will be made on a configuration of each of the parts.

<Push-Button Section>

First, the push-button section 52 includes a casing 61, a push button 62and an operating shaft 63 (see FIG. 2). The push button 62 is designedto move in a direction of an arrow Y11 in conjunction with a pressingforce along this direction. In this case, the push button 62 is adaptedto receive a force from a spring or the like incorporated therein in anopposite direction to the arrow Y11, thereby returned to its initialposition at the demise of the pressing force in the direction of thearrow Y11.

The push-button section 52 and the push-button body 53 are designed tobe separable from each other. A mounting structure for the push-buttonsection 52 and the push-button body 53 is constructed as shown in FIG.3, for example. As seen in FIG. 3, the push-button body 53 is formedwith a projection 65 movable in a direction of an arrow Y13 whereas thepush-button section 52 is formed with a recess 67 at place forengagement by the projection 65 of the push-button body 53. Thus, thepush-button section 52 and the push-button body 53 are detachablycombined together by way of the projection 65 and the recess 67.

The push-button section 52 is inserted in an aperture 69 of thepush-button body 53 so as to be set at a predetermined position. In thiscase, the position of the recess 67 of the push-button section 52 ispreviously aligned with the position of the projection 65 of thepush-button body 53. Subsequently, the projection 65 is depressed in thedirection of the arrow Y13 thereby fixedly combining the push-buttonsection 52 with the push-button body 53.

It is noted that the present invention is not limited to the illustratedconstruction and any construction is usable that is adapted to fix thepush-button section 52 and the push-button body 53 to each other. Forinstance, they may be fixed to each other by way of a screw and a nut inthreaded engagement relation.

Next, the operating shaft 63 and other components have a relationship asshown in FIG. 4. The operating shaft 63 is formed with a recess 71 atits end, an interior of which is hollowed out. The recess 71 is adaptedto receive an LED 72 of the LED box 54 as will be described hereinafter.That is, the recess 71 receives the LED 72 thereby preventing the LED 72from interfering with the movement of the operating shaft 63.

The operating shaft 63 has a cylindrical shape and is formed withprojections 74 at opposite places on an outer periphery of the endthereof. When depressed in a direction of an arrow Y14, the operatingshaft 63 brings these projections 74 into abutment against switchingprojections 76, 77 respectively formed at the communications contact 55and the contact-making contact 56, so that the switching projections 76,77 are pressed in. This establishes a state in which a built-in switchof each contact is actuated to change the state of the contact. In thismanner, an operation given to the push button 62 by the operator isreceived and transmitted to the LED box 54, the communications contact55 and the contact-making contact 56.

<Push-Button Body>

Returning to FIG. 1, the push-button body 53 is formed with threecontact dedicated connectors 79 individually having a pair of connectionportions at an upper and a lower sides of the push-button body in orderto permit connection with the LED box 54, the communications contact 55and the contact-making contact 56. The contact dedicated connectors 79are individually formed with apertures 80 which are engaged withprojecting connectors 82, 83, 84, thereby fixing the LED box 54, thecommunications contact 55 and the contact-making contact 56 to thepush-button body 53.

It is noted that the present invention is not limited to the illustratedconstruction and any construction is usable that is capable of fixingthe LED box 54, the communications contact 55 and the contact-makingcontact 56 to the push-button body 53. As shown in FIG. 3 for example, astructure such as for fixing the push-button section 52 to thepush-button body 53 by depressing the projection may be employed.

In this manner, the push-button body 53 permits both the communicationscontact 55 and the contact-making contact 56 to be concurrentlyconnected therewith.

<Communications Contact>

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the communications contact 55 is formed withthe switching projection 76 and a pair of projecting connectors 83. Theprojecting connectors 83 are configured to be compatible with a pair ofprojecting connectors 82 formed at the LED box 54 and with a pair ofprojecting connectors 84 formed at the contact-making contact 56.

Now referring to FIG. 5, an internal configuration of the communicationscontact 55 is described. As seen in FIG. 5, the communicationscontact-55 serves as the information input/output functioning member foroutputting an information signal corresponding to an operation given tothe push-button section 52 by the operator and includes therein a switchsection 86, an interface section 87 and a communications section 88.

The switch section 86 is connected to the communications section 88 viathe interface section 87. The switch section 86 comprises the switchingprojection 76 and a switch such as of a photoelectric switch, magneticswitch, mechanical switch or the like. The switch section is switchedbetween ON and OFF positions by the switching projection 76 moved inconjunction with the aforesaid movement of the operating shaft 63. Thechange of the sate of the switch section 86 causes a correspondingsignal to be outputted. The signal is converted to a digital signal bythe interface section 87, which sends the resultant signal to thecommunications section 88.

Based on the digital signal thus received, the communications section 88generates a communication signal conforming to a predeterminedcommunications protocol. The communication signal thus generated isissued to the network via a communications cable. The communicationssection 88 is capable of receiving an external signal as well as ofproviding an output of an information signal based on the externalsignal thus received.

<Contact-Making Contact>

An internal configuration of the contact-making contact 56 is describedwith reference to FIG. 6(a). The contact-making contact 56 comprises theswitching projection 77, the projecting connector 84 and a switch 91.The projecting connector 84 is configured to be compatible with theprojecting connector 82 formed at the LED box 54 and with the projectingconnector 83 formed at the communications contact 55.

The contact-making contact 56 serves as the direct functioning memberfor providing an output for switching between a conductive state and anon-conductive state corresponding to the operation given to the pushbutton 62 by the operator. The contact-making contact includes thereinthe switch 91 capable of switching a connected device and the likebetween ON and OFF positions. The switch 91 is switched between ON andOFF positions by the switching projection 77 moved in conjunction withthe movement of the operating shaft 63.

It is noted that the contact-making contact 56 is not limited to theconfiguration wherein the operation of the operating shaft 63 isimmediately responded by switching the switch 91 to ON or OFF position.As shown in FIG. 6(b), the contact-making contact may have aconfiguration wherein a timer section 92 is provided within the contactbody for switching the switch 91 to ON or OFF position after a lapse ofa predetermined period of time subsequent to the operation of theoperating shaft 63.

<LED Box>

An internal configuration of the LED box 54 is described with referenceto FIG. 7(a). The LED box 54 comprises the LED 72 as a lightingcomponent, and the projecting connector 82. The projecting connector 82is configured to be compatible with the projecting connector 83 formedat the communications contact 55 and with the projecting connector 84formed at the contact-making contact 56.

The LED box 54 includes therein a circuit 95 for receiving a controlsignal from the bus line or the like. It is noted that the LED 72 isinserted and accommodated in the recess 71 of the cylindrical operatingshaft 63 (see FIG. 4).

It is noted that the LED box 54 is not limited to that connected to thebus line or the like for receiving the control signal from an externalsource but may be designed simply to be applied with current from anexternal source (see FIG. 7(b)).

<Specific Examples of Use of Switch Assembly>

An emergency stop system employing the switch assembly 51 of theaforementioned configuration is described with reference to FIG. 8. Asshown in FIG. 8, the LED box 54 and the communications contact 55 areconnected to the CPU 15 via the bus line. BL. The contact-making contact56 is connected to the motor M1 as the driving unit.

The CPU 17 is provided for abnormality monitoring purpose, thusconstantly monitoring the state of the communications contact 55. On theother hand, the CPU 15 transmits to the LED box 54 a control signalaccording to the state of the communications contact 55. For instance,when the communications contact 55 is switched to ON state, the CPUsends a control signal such as to activate the LED 72, thereby causingthe LED 72 of the LED box 54 to light up. Thus, the LED box 54 effectsthe lighting operation of the LED 72 (light-up, light-off, flash and thelike) according to the states of the communications contact 55 and thecontact-making contact 56.

In addition, the emergency stop system is provided with two paths fordeactivating the motor M1, as shown in FIG. 8. One of the pathsinterconnects the communications contact 55, the CPU 15, the CPU 17 andthe motor M1 via the bus line BL. The other path is for directlydeactivating the motor M1 via the contact-making contact 56.

In the case of the former path, when the switch assembly 51 ismanipulated by the operator, the communications contact 55 outputs aninformation signal indicative of the operation given to the switchassembly 51 while the CPU 15 detects the signal through the bus line BLto output a control signal directing to deactivate the motor M1. The CPU17, in turn, responds to the control signal from the CPU 15 bydeactivating the motor M1.

In the case of the latter path, when the switch assembly 51 ismanipulated by the operator, the contact-making contact 56 is switchedto the non-conductive state thereby directly deactivating the motor M1.

Thus, the present invention is particularly advantageous in that theprovision of the latter path as well as the former path offers theability to deal with a shut-off of the communication path, malfunctionof the CPU and the like. Furthermore, the switch assembly 51 is arrangedsuch that a single operation given by the operator can effect thedeactivation of the motor M1 via the two paths. Therefore, the emergencystop system is further enhanced in safety by applying the switchassembly 51 thereto.

FIG. 9 shows a back side of an electric switchboard to which a pluralityof switch assemblies 51 are mounted. By using the switch assemblies 51in this manner, the wiring layout on the backside of the electricswitchboard is more simplified than the conventional wiring layout shownin FIG. 66.

It is noted that the aforesaid push-button section 52 and thepush-button body 53 are equivalent to the operation transmitting memberof the present invention. The LED box 54 is equivalent to thefunctioning member of the present invention, having the lightingcomponent which performs the lighting operation under control of thecontrol unit. The communications contact 55 and the contact-makingcontact 56 are each equivalent to the functioning member of the presentinvention. Particularly, the communications contact 55 is equivalent tothe information input/output functioning member of the presentinvention; the contact-making contact 56 to the direct functioningmember of the present invention; the LED 72 to the lighting component ofthe present invention; the CPU 15 to the control unit of the presentinvention; and the motor M1 to the control target of the presentinvention.

Therefore, the switch assembly 51 of the first embodiment accomplishes acompact combination of plural functioning members of differentfunctions, which include the direct functioning member (thecontact-making contact 56), the information input/output functioningmember (communications contact 55) and the like. Thus, the installationspace can be reduced. In addition, the operation transmitting members(the push-button section 52 and the push-button body 53) as a singledriving unit can positively drive the plural functioning members ofdifferent functions, such as the direct functioning member, theinformation input/output functioning member and the like.

In the above first embodiment, the communications contact 55 and thecontact-making contact 56 may each be provided with an LED responding tothe operation given to the push-button section 52 by performing alighting operation.

Alternatively, the LED 72 owned by the LED box 54 may be provided to thepush-button body 53.

The aforementioned first embodiment is arranged such that the lightingoperation of the LED 72 of the LED box 54 is effected in response to thecontrol signal sent from the CPU connected to the network having the busline BL (see FIG. 8).

However, an exemplary modification of the first embodiment may be madesuch that the LED 72 directly responds to the signal from thecommunications contact 55 by performing the lighting operation. In thiscase, as shown in FIG. 10 for example, the LED box 54 is provided withprojections 97 on its lateral side surface and the communicationscontact 55 is provided with grooves 98 on its lateral side surfacewhereby the LED box 54 and the communications contact 55 are fixedlycombined together. The projection 97 and the groove 98 on the lateralside surfaces are each provided with a contact, such that the LED box 54and the communications contact 55 may establish a direct electricalconnection therebetween when combined together.

FIG. 11 shows an exemplary circuit configuration of the LED box 54 andthe communications contact 55 of this modification. The communicationscontact 55 has a similar circuit configuration to that shown in FIG. 5and further includes a contact 101 on its lateral side for establishingan electrical connection with an external device. On the other hand, theLED box 54 has the LED 72 and further includes a contact 102 on itslateral side for establishing an electrical connection with an externaldevice. Thus, the communications contact 55 and the LED box 54 areelectrically interconnected by means of the contact 101 of thecommunications contact 55 and the contact 102 of the LED box 54. Thecommunications section 88 of the communications contact 55 is connectedto an external device via the bus line BL (see FIG. 8).

When the push-button 62 is manipulated to activate the communicationscontact 55, the communications contact 55 transmits an informationsignal from the communications section 88 to another device via the busline BL. Receiving this information signal, the CPU issues a lightingsignal for causing the LED 72 to light up.

When receiving the lighting signal, the communications contact 55transmits the lighting signal to the LED box 54 via the communicationssection 88, the interface section 87 and the contact 101. The LED box 54receives the lighting signal via the contact 102 to cause the LED 72 tolight up.

That is, when the switch assembly 51 is manipulated, the communicationscontact 55 outputs the information signal, based on which the lightingof the LED 72 of the LED box 54 or the operation of the motor M1 iscontrolled.

However, an arrangement may be made such that besides the operation ofthe above switch assembly 51, an operation of another switch assemblyconnected to the bus line BL (see FIG. 8) provides an output of aninformation signal, based on which the LED of the switch assembly 51 iscaused to light up or the operation of the motor M1 is controlled.

Although the above-mentioned first embodiment employs a normal LED asthe LED 72, there may be used a high-performance device such as of fourelements or gallium nitride, which features a much higher light emittingefficiency than the conventional LEDs. This contributes a high luminanceat low current, thereby avoiding the problem of heat generation when aplurality of switch assemblies are collectively mounted. Incidentally,an incandescent bulb is also usable.

The first embodiment has the arrangement wherein the communicationscontact 55 is adapted to output the information signal in response tothe operator manipulating the push-button section 52. However, thepresent invention is not limited to this arrangement and any arrangementis possible so long as the information signal can be outputted inresponse to the operation given by the operator. For instance, a timerunit may be employed such that the information signal is outputted aftera lapse of a predetermined period of time subsequent to the operation ofthe push-button section 52 by the operator.

Furthermore, the first embodiment describes the push-button section 52,the push-button body 53, the LED box 54, the communications contact 55and the contact-making contact 56 as being independently formed.However, these components may be integrally formed.

In the above first embodiment, the communications contact 55 is designedto output the information signal in response to the operation of thepush-button section 52. Alternatively, the communications contact 55 maybe designed to receive a certain information signal from somewhereexternal of the switch assembly 51 via the bus line and to output aninformation signal corresponding to the received signal. The informationinput/output functioning member is not limited to the type which outputsthe information signal like the communications contact 55 but alsoincludes a type like LED which is applied with the information signalthrough an operation of an external device, and a type which is adaptedfor input and output of the information signal.

(Second Embodiment)

A switch assembly according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 14. FIG. 12 isa disassembled oblique perspective view of the switch assembly, FIG. 13a disassembled oblique perspective view of the assembly in use, and FIG.14 a disassembled oblique perspective view of an exemplary modificationof the assembly.

Since an essential arrangement of a switch assembly 104 of thisembodiment is the same as that of the switch assembly 51 shown in FIG.1, like parts in FIG. 12 are represented by the same referencecharacters as those in FIGS. 1 to 8, respectively. The followingdescription principally focuses on a communications contact 105 having adifferent configuration from that of the switch assembly 51.

Similarly to the communications contact 55 of the above firstembodiment, the communications contact 105 of this embodiment comprisesthe switching projection 76 and the projecting connector 83. However,this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that thecommunications contact 105 has a width ‘2D’ twice the width ‘D’ of thecommunications contact 55 and that two pairs of projecting connectors 83are provided on an upper and a lower sides of the communications contact105.

Where such a communications contact 105 with the width ‘2D’ is used ascombined with the push-button body 53, the push-button body 53 withthree pairs of contact dedicated connectors 79 is left with one pairavailable. Therefore, either one of the communications contact 55 andthe contact-making contact 56 having the width ‘D’, as shown in FIG. 1for example, may be used as connected with the push-button body 53.

FIG. 13 illustrates a case where the communications contact 105 of thewidth ‘2D’ and the contact-making contact 56 of the width ‘D’ are used.As seen in FIG. 13, two pairs of projecting connectors 83 of thecommunications contact 105 are connected with the left-hand two pairs ofcontact dedicated connectors 79 of the push-button body 53, whereas onepair of projecting connectors 84 of the contact-making contact 56 areconnected with the right-hand one pair of contact dedicated connectors79.

In an exemplary modification of the communications contact 105, thecommunications contact may have an even greater width of ‘3D’. FIG. 14is an external view of a communications contact 107 having a width of‘3D’. The communications contact 107 comprises the switching projection76 and three pairs of projecting connectors 83 disposed in verticalpositional relation. The projecting connectors 83 of the communicationscontact 107 are engaged with three pairs of contact dedicated connectors79 of the push-button body 53, respectively.

Besides the same effect as in the first embodiment, the secondembodiment offers a particular effect when a need exists foraccommodating a circuit or the like having a more complicatedconfiguration because this embodiment permits the use of thecommunications contact 105 of the width ‘2D’ twice the width of thecommunications contact 55 of FIG. 1 or the communications contact 107 ofthe width ‘3D’ three times that of the communications contact 55,thereby increasing an internal capacity.

It is noted here that the communications contacts 105, 107 are bothequivalent to the information input/output functioning member of thepresent invention.

The embodiment has been described with reference to the communicationscontact 105 of the width ‘2D’ which is twice the width of thecommunications contact 55 and the communications contact 107 of thewidth ‘3D’ which is three times that of the communications contact 55.Instead of the communications contact, the contact-making contact 56 orthe LED box 54 with the width ‘2D’ or ‘3D’ twice or three times thewidth ‘D’ may be used as combined with the push-button body 53.Alternatively, any ones of these components may be combined into anintegral unit.

(Third Embodiment)

A switch assembly according to a third embodiment of the presentinvention will be described with reference to FIG. 15. It is noted thatFIG. 15 omits the illustration of the LED box 54, the communicationscontact 55 and the contact-making contact 56 shown in FIG. 1.

Since an essential arrangement of a switch assembly 109 of thisembodiment is the same as that of the switch assembly 51 shown in FIG.1, like parts in FIG. 15 are represented by the same referencecharacters as those in FIGS. 1 to 8, respectively. The switch assemblyof this embodiment differs from the above switch assembly 51 in that thepush-button body 53 has a different configuration and that a switchadaptor 110 is added. Hence, the following description principallyfocuses on these differences.

<Push-Button Body>

A push-button body 111 of this embodiment comprises a pair ofadaptor-connecting projections 112 (one of which is not shown) inaddition to three pairs of contact dedicated connectors 79.

<Switch Adaptor>

The switch adaptor 110 includes a pair of connectors 114. The switchadaptor 110 is fixedly combined with the push-button body 111 byengaging the connectors 114 with the adaptor-connecting projections 112of the push-button body 111.

The switch adaptor 110 is formed with a push-button engaging projection115 which is designed to be rotatable in a direction of an arrow Y15 andan opposite direction thereto. The switch adaptor 110 is rotated from aposition shown in FIG. 15 in the direction of the arrow Y15 thereby tobring the push-button engaging projection 115 into engagement with anL-shaped engagement groove 116 defined at the push-button section 52.Thus, the switch adaptor 110 is fixedly combined with the push-buttonsection 52.

According to the third embodiment, the provision of the switch adaptor110 permits the push-button section 52 and the push-button body 111 tobe combined for use even if their configurations are not compatible witheach other.

In a case where a required contact is designed to be exclusivelyconnectable with a certain push-button body 111 and the use of aparticular push-button section 52 is desired, for example, combining thepush-button section 52 and the push-button body 111 having incompatibleconnection structures is impracticable but the use of the switch adaptor110 of this embodiment permits such push-button section 52 andpush-button body 11 to be combined together.

It is noted here that the push-button section 52 is equivalent to anoperation member of the present invention, the push-button body 111 toan operation connection member of the present invention, the switchadaptor 110 to an operation-adaptor member of the present invention, andthe contact dedicated connector 79 to a functioning-member dedicatedconnection portion of the present invention.

The above third embodiment has been described by way of the examplewhere the connection between the push-button section 52 and the switchadaptor 110 is accomplished by the structure for establishing engagementbetween the push-button engaging projection 115 and the engagementgroove 116. However, the present invention is not limited to thisstructure but any structure is usable so long as the push-button section52 and the switch adaptor 110 can be connected with each other. Forinstance, the push-button section 52 and the switch adaptor 110 can becombined together as follows. A similar projection to the projection 65of FIG. 3 is formed at the switch adaptor 110 whereas a similar recessto the recess 67 of FIG. 3 is formed at the push-button section 52. Theprojection of the switch adaptor 110 is pressed into the push-buttonsection 52 so as to be engaged with the recess thereof whereby theswitch adaptor 110 and the push-button section 52 are fixedly combinedtogether.

Furthermore, the third embodiment may be arranged such that the switchadaptor 110 is provided with a position/stroke changing section (seeFIG. 24) which will be described hereinafter. Alternatively, such aposition/stroke changing section may be disposed at the push-button body111.

(Fourth Embodiment)

A switch assembly according to a fourth embodiment of the presentinvention will be described with reference to FIG. 16. Since anessential arrangement of a switch assembly 119 of this embodiment is thesame as that of the switch assembly 51 shown in FIG. 1, like parts inFIG. 16 are represented by the same reference characters as those inFIGS. 1 to 8, respectively. The following description principallyfocuses on a difference from the switch assembly 51.

A push-button body 121 of this embodiment has a configuration whereinthe push-button body 53 of FIG. 1 incorporates therein thecommunications contact 55. That is, the push-button body 121 isintegrally formed with a communications block 122 at a center thereof.Disposed on laterally opposite sides of the communications block 122 area respective pair of contact dedicated connectors 79 having a verticalpositional relation. This permits either one of the communicationscontact 55 and the contact-making contact 56 shown in FIG. 1 to beconnected to either the left-hand or the right-hand contact dedicatedconnector pair 79 or permits both the contacts to be connected to boththe contact dedicated connector pairs.

The communications block 122 incorporates therein the switch section 86,the interface section 87, the communications section 88 and the like(see FIG. 5) which are incorporated in the communications contact 55shown in FIG. 1. Thus, the communications block 122 having the samefunctions as the communications contact 55 is unified with thepush-button body 121. The communications block 122 is also adapted tooutput an information signal corresponding to an operation given to thepush-button section 52 by the operator.

It is noted here that the push-button section 52 and the push-buttonbody 121 are equivalent to the operation transmitting member of thepresent invention and that the communications block 122 is equivalent tothe information input/output functioning member of the presentinvention.

According to the fourth embodiment, the following advantage is offered.When the switch assembly is connected to the bus-system network, forexample, the first embodiment requires an operation for connecting thecommunications contact 55 to the push-button section 52. In contrast,the fourth embodiment can omit such an operation because thecommunications block 122 is unified with the push-button body 121. Thisresults in quite a simple operation for connecting the switch assemblyto the network.

Although the above fourth embodiment is arranged such that thecommunications block 122 as the information input/output functioningmember is unified with the push-button body 121, the contact-makingcontact 56 or the LED box 54 as the direct functioning member (seeFIG. 1) may be unified with the push-button body 121.

Alternatively, the above fourth embodiment may have an arrangementwherein both the communications contact 55 and the contact-makingcontact 56 (or the LED box 54) are unified with the push-button body121. Then, the LED may be provided to the communications contact 55 andthe contact-making contact 56 or to the push-button body 121 so that theLED may perform the lighting operation in response to the operationgiven to the push-button section 52.

(Fifth Embodiment)

A switch assembly according to a fifth embodiment of the presentinvention will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 to 20. FIG. 17 isa disassembled oblique perspective view of the assembly as seen from thefront side, FIG. 18 a disassembled oblique perspective view thereof asseen from the rear side, FIG. 19 an oblique perspective view of theswitch assembly in use as seen from the rear side, and FIG. 20 anoblique perspective view for explaining an operation of a part thereof.

Since an essential arrangement of a switch assembly 125 of thisembodiment is the same as that of the switch assembly 51 shown in FIG.1, like parts in FIGS. 17 to 20 are represented by the same referencecharacters as those in FIGS. 1 to 8, respectively. The assembly of thisembodiment differs from the switch assembly 51 in that an adaptor 126 isprovided and hence, the following description principally focuses onsuch a difference.

The adaptor 126 of this embodiment comprises a pair of push-buttondedicated connectors 128 disposed in vertical positional relation forcombining the adaptor with the push-button section 52, and a pair ofcontact dedicated connectors 129 disposed in vertical positionalrelation for establishing the connection with the communications contact55. It is noted here that the contact dedicated connector 129 has astandardized configuration for connection with various types ofcontacts. For example, the configuration is adapted to engage with theprojecting connectors 83 of the communications contact 55.

As seen in FIG. 20 partially showing a sectional configuration of theadaptor 126, the adaptor 126 is formed with a transmitting projection131, the movement of which is restricted by guide rails 132. Thus, theadaptor 126 is designed to move only in a direction of an arrow Y20 andthe opposite direction. The transmitting projection 131 is constantlyurged in the opposite direction to the arrow Y20 by a spring or the likeas a resilient member (not shown).

When the push-button section 52 is not subjected to an operating force,the transmitting projection 131 abuts against the projection 74 of theoperating shaft 63 of the push-button section 52. However, when thepush-button section 52 is depressed to apply the operating force to movethe operating shaft 63 along the depressed direction, the transmittingprojection 131 is accordingly moved in the direction of the arrow Y20.The transmitting projection 131, thus moved, pushes the switchingprojection 76 of the communications contact 55 in the direction of thearrow Y20 so that the state of the communications contact 55 is changed.

This adaptor 126 is used when the configuration of the connector of thecommunications contact 55 is incompatible with the configuration of theconnector of the push-button body 53. Various combinations of thecontacts and the push-button sections are made possible by providing theadaptor 126 conforming to the configurations of the connector of thecommunications contact 55 and the push-button body 53.

It is noted here that the push-button section 52 and the push-buttonbody 53 are equivalent to an operation receiving member of the presentinvention, the adaptor 126 to an adaptor member of the presentinvention, the communications contact 55 to the information input/outputfunctioning member of the present invention, the push-button dedicatedconnector 128 to an operation-receiving-member dedicated connectionportion of the present invention, and the contact dedicated connector.129 to the functioning-member dedicated connection portion of thepresent invention.

Although it has been the general practice to combine a contact availablefrom ‘A’ company with a push-button section available from the ‘A’company, the fifth embodiment provides the adaptor 126 with thestandardized configuration thereby making it possible to use a contactand the push-button section 52 available from different companies asconnected with each other.

Although the above fifth embodiment is described by way of the examplewhere the communications contact 55 as the information input/outputfunctioning member is connected with the adaptor 126, the contact-makingcontact 56 (see FIG. 1) as the direct functioning member may be used ascombined with the adaptor.

Alternatively, the adaptor 126 may be designed to be connectable withboth the communications contact 55 and the contact-making contact 56 sothat both the communications contact 55 and the contact-making contact56 are concurrently used as combined with the adaptor. In this case, thecommunications contact 55 and the contact-making contact 56 inconnection with the adaptor 126 are simultaneously operated by theoperation given to the push-button section 52 by the operator.

In principle, the aforementioned adaptor 126 of the fifth embodiment isintended to interconnect the communications contact 55 and thepush-button body 53 which are unconnectable. However, this adaptor 126may incorporate a contact (or a block) having the same communicationfunction as the communications contact 55. In this case, an arrangementmay be made such that the communication function incorporated in theadaptor 126 is operated in conjunction with the operation given to thepush-button section 52. Likewise, the adaptor 126 may incorporate acontact (or a block) having the same function as the contact-makingcontact 56.

An alternative arrangement is possible wherein the adaptor 126incorporates therein an LED for permitting the operation given to thepush-button section 52 to cause the LED to light up.

Further, the communications contact 55 of the fifth embodiment (see FIG.17) may be formed with the contact dedicated connector 79, for example,such that another contact can be connected with the communicationscontact 55. In a case where the adaptor 126 is connected with thecontact-making contact 56, the contact-making contact may similarly beadapted to allow another contact to be connected therewith.

(Sixth Embodiment)

A switch assembly according to a sixth embodiment of the presentinvention will be described with reference to FIGS. 21 and 22. Since anessential arrangement of a switch assembly 135 of this embodiment is thesame as that of the switch assembly 51 shown in FIG. 1, like parts inFIGS. 21 and 22 are represented by the same reference characters asthose in FIGS. 1 to 8, respectively. The assembly of this embodimentdiffers from the switch assembly 51 in that an adaptor 136 has adifferent configuration and hence, the following description principallyfocuses on such a difference.

Similarly to the adaptor 126 shown in FIGS. 17 to 20, the adaptor 136 ofthe switch assembly 135 of this embodiment comprises the push-buttondedicated connectors 128 and the contact dedicated connectors 129 asshown in FIG. 21. The contact dedicated connector 129 has thestandardized configuration for connection with various types ofcontacts.

It is noted, however, that the adaptor 136 has two pairs of push-buttondedicated connectors 128 and of contact dedicated connectors 129 whichare disposed in vertical positional relation. Further, as shown in FIG.21, the adaptor 136 has a width ‘2D’ twice the width ‘D’ of the adaptor126 of FIG. 18.

The two pairs of push-button dedicated connectors 128 of the adaptor 136are connected with the left-hand two pairs of contact dedicatedconnectors 79 of the push-button body 53, the contact dedicatedconnectors disposed in vertical positional relation. The adaptor 136 hasits respective pair of contact dedicated connectors 129 engaged with apair of projecting connectors 83 of the communications contact 55 andwith a pair of projecting connectors 84 of the contact-making contact56, thus adapted for concurrent connection with the communicationscontact 55 and the contact-making contact 56.

The adaptor 136 may be further increased in width to ‘3D’. FIG. 22 is anexternal view of a switch assembly 139 including an adaptor 138 of thewidth ‘3D’. The adaptor 138 comprises three pairs of push-buttondedicated connectors 128 and of contact dedicated connectors 129 whichare disposed in vertical positional relation. The three pairs ofpush-button dedicated connectors 128 of the adaptor 138 engage withthree pairs of contact dedicated connectors 79 of the push-button body53, whereas a respective pair of contact dedicated connectors 129thereof engage with a pair of projecting 9 connectors 83 of thecommunications contact 55 and with a respective pair of projectingconnectors 84 of the contact-making contacts 56. Thus, the adaptor 138is adapted for concurrent connection with the communications contact 55and the contact-making contacts 56.

The sixth embodiment offers the following advantage by employing theadaptor 136 having the width ‘2D’ twice the width ‘D’ of the adaptor 126(see FIG. 18) or the adaptor 138 having the width ‘3D’ three times thatof the adaptor 126. Even if the projecting connectors 82, 83, 84 of thecommunications contact 55, the contact-making contact 56 and the LED box54 have different configurations, the communications contact 55, thecontact-making contact 56 and the LED box 54 can be connected with theswitch assembly.

Let us consider a case where the LED box 54, the communications contact55 and the contact-making contact 56 are each connected with the switchassembly, for example. If the projecting connectors 83, 84 of thecommunications contact 55 and the contact-making contact 56 have thesame configuration but the projecting connectors 82 of the LED box 54have a different configuration from that of the former connectors, thecommunications contact 55 and the contact-making contact 56 may bedirectly connected with the push-button body 53 if the projectingconnectors 83, 84 thereof are compatible with the contact dedicatedconnectors of the push-button body 53, whereas the LED box 54 may beconnected with the push-button body 53 by way of the adaptor 126 shownin FIG. 18.

If, on the other hand, the projecting connectors 82 of the LED box 54are compatible with the contact dedicated connectors 79 of thepush-button body 53, the LED box 54 may be directly connected with thepush-button body 53 whereas the communications contact 55 and thecontact-making contact 56 may be connected with the push-button body 53by way of the adaptor 136 shown in FIG. 21.

If the projecting connectors of the communications contact 55 and thelike to be connected with the push-button body 53 are all incompatiblewith the contact dedicated connectors 79 of the push-button body 53, theadaptor 138 of FIG. 22 may be used.

It is noted here that the adaptors 136, 138 are equivalent to theadaptor member of the present invention, and the contact dedicatedconnector 79 is equivalent to the functioning-member dedicatedconnection portion of the present invention.

Although the sixth embodiment has been described by way of the exampleof the adaptor 136 of the two-fold width ‘2D’ of the width ‘D’ of theadaptor 126 (see FIG. 18) and the adaptor 138 of the three-fold width‘3D’, the present invention should not be limited to these. In short,the adaptor only needs to have a different width from the width ‘D’ ofthe adaptor 126 of FIG. 18. The adaptor may have any width such as 0.5,1.5 or 4 times the width ‘D’ of the adaptor 126.

(Seventh Embodiment)

A switch assembly according to a seventh embodiment of the presentinvention will be described with reference to FIG. 23. An essentialarrangement of a switch assembly 141 of this embodiment is the same asthat of the switch assembly 139 shown in FIG. 22 but an adaptor 142 hasa different configuration. Hence, the following description principallyfocuses on a difference from the switch assembly 139 of FIG. 22 by wayof reference to FIGS. 1 to 22 as well.

The adaptor 142 of this embodiment comprises the adaptor 139 of FIG. 22incorporating therein a communications contact having the samecommunication function as the communications contact 55. The adaptor 142includes three pairs of push-button dedicated connectors 128 and twopairs of contact dedicated connectors 129, connectors disposed at anupper side and a loser side of the adaptor. The adaptor 142 furtherincludes two transmitting projections 131 and one switching projection(not shown) having a communication function.

Since the transmitting projections 131 and the switching projection aresimultaneously operated, the contact-making contacts 56 and thecommunications contact 55 incorporated in the adaptor 142 aresimultaneously actuated.

The pairs of contact dedicated connectors 129 formed at transverselyopposite places of the adaptor 142 are each connected with onecontact-making-contact 56. Thus, the adaptor 142 incorporates thereinthe communications contact of a different function from that of thecontact-making contact 56 connected therewith.

It is noted here that the adaptor 142 is equivalent to the adaptormember of the present invention whereas the communications contactincorporated in the adaptor. 142 is equivalent to the informationinput/output functioning member of the present invention.

Although the above seventh embodiment has been described by way of theexample where the adaptor 142 is connected with the contact-makingcontact 56, the adaptor 142 may be connected with a communicationscontact 55 different from the communications contact incorporated in theadaptor 142. In this case, such an adaptor 142 may incorporate therein afunction of the contact-making contact 56.

(Eighth Embodiment)

A switch assembly according to an eighth embodiment of the presentinvention will be described with reference to FIGS. 24 to 28. FIG. 24 isa sectional view of the switch assembly; FIG. 25 a sectional view takenon the line A—A in FIG. 24; FIG. 26 a group of explanatory diagrams ofan operation of the switch assembly; FIG. 27 a disassembled obliqueperspective view of a part of the switch assembly; and FIG. 28 anoblique perspective view of a part of an exemplary modification of theswitch assembly. In FIGS. 24 and 25, the same reference characters asthose in FIGS. 1 to 23 represent the same or equivalent parts,respectively.

A switch assembly 145 of this embodiment comprises the push-buttonsection 52, the push-button body 53, an adaptor 146 and thecommunications contact 55. As described in the first embodiment, thepush-button section 52 comprises the casing 61, the push button 62 andthe operating shaft 63 whereas the push-button body 53 comprises alocking member 148 for fixing the push-button section and a casing 149.

A position/stroke changing section 151 is formed within the push-buttonbody 53. The position/stroke changing section 151 comprises a shaft 152and a pivotal member 153. The pivotal member 153 includes anoperating-shaft dedicated projection 155 and an adaptor dedicatedprojection 156. The operating-shaft dedicated projection 155 abutsagainst one end of the operating shaft 63.

The adaptor dedicated projection 156 is formed on the opposite side ofthe pivotal member 153 from the operating-shaft dedicated projection155, abutting against an operating-force transmitting member 158 of theadaptor 146.

The adaptor 146 comprises a casing 160, the aforesaid operating-forcetransmitting member 158, a spring 161 as a resilient member, apush-button dedicated connector 162 and a contact dedicated connector163. The operating-force transmitting member 158 has a contact dedicatedprojection 164 at a center thereof. The spring 161 is interposed betweenthe casing 160 and the operating-force transmitting member 158 so thatthe operating-force transmitting member 158 receives a force from thespring 161 in an opposite direction to an arrow 24 when receiving apressing force of above a given level in a direction of the arrow Y24.

The communications contact 55 comprises the projection 76 and aconnector 166. When the projection 76 is depressed in the direction ofthe arrow Y24, a switch incorporated in the communications contact 55(not shown) is switched.

It is noted here that the push-button section 52 and the push-buttonbody 53 are equivalent to the operation receiving member of the presentinvention, the adaptor 146 and the position/stroke changing section 151to the adaptor member of the present invention, the communicationscontact 55 to the information input/output functioning member of thepresent invention, the push-button dedicated connector 162 to theoperation-receiving-member dedicated connection portion of the presentinvention, and the contact dedicated connector 163 to thefunctioning-member dedicated connection portion of the presentinvention.

Next, an operation of each part of the switch assembly 145 is described.When the push button 62 is depressed in the direction of the arrow Y24(see FIG. 24), the operating shaft 63 is accordingly moved in the samedirection while pressing the operating-shaft dedicated projection 155.The operating-shaft dedicated projection 155 thus pressed causes thepivotal member 153 to pivot about the shaft 152.

As a result, the adaptor dedicated projection 156 presses theoperating-force transmitting member 158, the contact dedicatedprojection 164 of the operating-force transmitting member 158, in turn,presses the projection 76 of the communications contact 55. The switchassembly 145 is adapted to transmit the pressing force, applied to thepush button 62, to the communications contact 55 by way of theoperations of the individual parts thereof.

As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, the pivotal member 153 pivotally mounted onthe shaft 152 is provided between the operating shaft 63 and theoperating-force transmitting member 158 thereby permitting the stroke ofslide (a movable distance) of the operating shaft 63 to be changed. Thestroke of a contact such as the push-button section 52, thecommunications contact 55 or the like is normally decided by each maker.

Thus, even if the strokes of the push-button section 52 and thecommunications contact 55 from different makers are out of agreement,the eighth embodiment is capable of accomplishing the agreement betweenthese strokes by virtue of the pivotal member 153 pivotally mounted onthe shaft 152 as mentioned above.

Now, how the inherent stroke of the push-button section 52 is changed bythe pivotal member 153 pivotally mounted on the shaft 152 is explainedwith reference to FIG. 26. FIG. 26(b) illustrates a case where theinherent stroke of the push-button section 52 is increased. FIG. 26(a)illustrates a case where the inherent stroke of the push-button section52 is not changed. FIG. 26(c) illustrates a case where the inherentstroke of the push-button section 52 is decreased.

As seen in FIGS. 26(a) to (c), the stroke can be changed depending upona position at which the adaptor dedicated projection 156 is formed.Specifically, in a case where the adaptor dedicated projection 156 andthe operating-shaft dedicated projection 155 are formed in a manner toestablish a substantial alignment between central axes of theseprojections, as shown in FIG. 26(a), a distance covered by theoperating-shaft dedicated projection 155 is equal to a distance coveredby the adaptor dedicated projection 156.

On the other hand, the distance covered by the operating-shaft dedicatedprojection 155 is equal to the stroke of the operating shaft 63. Thedistance covered by the adaptor dedicated projection 156 is equal to adistance covered by the operating-force transmitting member 158 of theadaptor 146 and also equal to a stroke of the switching projection 76 ofthe contact. That is, in the case shown in FIG. 26(a), the stroke of theoperating shaft 63 is equal to the stroke of the switching projection 76of the contact.

Let us consider a case, as shown in FIG. 26(c), where the adaptordedicated projection 156 is formed at place closer to the shaft 152 thanthe operating-shaft dedicated projection 155. In this case, the distancecovered by the adaptor dedicated projection 156 is shorter than thedistance covered by the operating-shaft dedicated projection 155. Thatis, in the case shown in FIG. 26(c), the stroke of the switchingprojection 76 of the contact can be made shorter than the stroke of theoperating shaft 63.

Further, let us consider a case, as shown in FIG. 26(b), where theadaptor dedicated projection 156 is formed at place farther away fromthe shaft 152 than the operating-shaft dedicated projection 155. In thiscase, the distance covered by the adaptor dedicated projection 156 islonger than the distance covered by the operating-shaft dedicatedprojection 155. That is, in the case shown in FIG. 26(b), the stroke ofthe switching projection 76 of the contact can be made longer than thatof the operating shaft 63.

In this manner, the stroke of the operating shaft 63 can be changedsimply by changing the positional relation of the adaptor dedicatedprojection 156 on the pivotal member 153 relative to the operating-shaftdedicated projection 155 thereon, thereby establishing the agreementwith the stroke of the switching projection 76 of the contact.

The pivotal member 153 of the above eighth embodiment is adapted for aneasy change of the positional relationship between the operating-shaftdedicated projection 155 and the adaptor dedicated projection 156. FIG.27 is an oblique perspective view of the pivotal member 153. A pluralityof holes H0 to H4 are formed in one surface of the pivotal member 153,on which the adaptor dedicated projection 156 is formed. On the otherhand, the adaptor dedicated projection 156 is formed with a fixingextension P1 which is in corresponding relation to the holes H0 to H4.The position at which the adaptor dedicated projection 156 is formed canbe changed depending upon which one of the holes H0 to H4 receives thefixing extension P1.

The pivotal member is also formed with similar holes (not shown) to theabove on the opposite surface from that where the adaptor dedicatedprojection 156 is formed as shown in FIG. 27. Further, theoperating-shaft dedicated projection 155 is also formed with a similarfixing extension (not shown) to the fixing extension P1. Such anarrangement permits the change of the position at which theoperating-shaft dedicated projection 155 is formed.

Thus, the positional relationship between the operating-shaft dedicatedprojection 155 and the adaptor dedicated projection 156 is decided basedon a desired mode of changing stroke. According to the positionalrelationship thus decided, the operating-shaft dedicated projection 155and the adaptor dedicated projection 156 may be attached to the pivotalmember 153.

FIG. 27 illustrates the structure of the pivotal member 153 formed withthe holes H0 to H4 so as to permit the change of positions at which theoperating-shaft dedicated projection 155 and the adaptor dedicatedprojection 156 are formed. However, the present invention is notparticularly limited to this structure and any structure is usable solong as the positions of the operating-shaft dedicated projection 155and the adaptor dedicated projection 156 are changeable. For instance,the pivotal member 153 may be formed with slits whereas extensionscorresponding to these slits may be formed on the operating-shaftdedicated projection 155 and the adaptor dedicated projection 156,respectively, such that the slits and the extensions are engaged witheach other in a manner to permit the change of positions of theprojections.

Although the embodiment is described with reference to the case wherethe adaptor 146 is connected with the communications contact 55, theadaptor 146 may be connected with the contact-making contact 56 (seeFIG. 1) or the like. Alternatively, the adaptor may be concurrentlyconnected with both the communications contact 55 and the contact-makingcontact 56.

According to the eighth embodiment, the illustrated position/strokechanging section 151 allows its operating-shaft dedicated projection 155to abut against the operating shaft 63 in aligned relation therewith.However, the operating-shaft dedicated projection 155 does not alwayscome into abutment against the operating shaft 63 in aligned relationtherewith. Such a situation may occur when, for example, the push-buttonsection 52 including the operating shaft 63 and the push-button body 53including the position/stroke changing section 151 are fabricated bydifferent makers.

FIG. 28 shows a position changing member 168 for providing an abutmentbetween the operating shaft 63 and the operating-shaft dedicatedprojection 155 such that the change of stroke may be performed. Theposition changing member 168 comprises a cap 169 and a position changingjut 170.

The cap 169 is formed with a plurality of holes in its surface. The cap169 is fitted over an end of the operating shaft 63 which abuts againstthe operating-shaft dedicated projection 155, the fitted cap 169presenting its surface with the holes to the operating-shaft dedicatedprojection 155. Then, the position changing jut 170 may be set in a holelocated at place against which the operating-shaft dedicated projection155 abuts.

This brings the operating shaft 63 and the operating-shaft dedicatedprojection 155 into abutment even if they are out of alignment andcannot establish abutment therebetween.

(Ninth Embodiment)

A switch assembly according to a ninth embodiment of the presentinvention will be described with reference to FIG. 29. In FIG. 29, thesame reference characters as those in FIGS. 1 to 28 represent the sameor equivalent parts, respectively.

A switch assembly 173 of this embodiment comprises the push-buttonsection 52, a push-button body 174, a communication-functionincorporating contact (hereinafter referred to as “communicationscontact”) 175 and a contact-making contact 176.

<Push-Button Body>

The push-button body 174 is formed with a communications-contactdedicated connection groove 178, which is provided with a wiring forestablishing electrical connection with the communications contact 175.

<Communications Contact>

The communications contact 175 is provided with a communication circuitwithin its body and includes a connecting projection 179 for connectionwith the push-button body 174. The communications contact is formed witha connecting projection 179 on its surface opposite to the push-buttonbody 174. The connecting projection 179 is provided with a wiring forestablishing electrical connection with the push-button body 174.

The connecting projection 179 engages with the communications-contactdedicated connection groove 178 of the push-button body 174 therebyfixedly interconnecting as well as electrically interconnecting thepush-button body 174 and the communications contact 175.

The communications contact 175 is formed with a plurality of contactdedicated connection grooves 180 for establishing connection between thecommunications contact itself 175 and other contacts including thecontact-making contact 176 and the like. This permits the communicationscontact 175 to be concurrently connected with plural contact-makingcontacts 176. It is noted here that the contact dedicated connectiongroove 180 has the same configuration as the communications-contactdedicated connection groove 178 of the push-button body 174.

The communications contact 175 further includes therein a switch 181operated in conjunction with the operation of the operating shaft (notshown) of the push-button section 52. The switch 181 is moved in adirection of an arrow Y27 in conjunction with a movement of theoperating shaft in a direction of an arrow Y26. This actuates a switch(not shown) of the contact-making contact 176 thereby to switch thestate of the contact-making contact 176.

<Contact-Making Contact>

The contact-making contact 176 is provided with a connecting projection183 on its surface opposite to the communications contact 175. Theconnecting projection 183 has the same configuration as the connectingprojection 179 of the communications contact 175. The connectingprojection 183 engages with the contact dedicated connection groove 180of the communications contact 175 thereby fixedly interconnecting aswell as electrically interconnecting the communications contact 175 andthe contact-making contact 176.

It is noted here that the push-button section 52 and the push-buttonbody 174 are equivalent to the operation receiving member of the presentinvention, whereas the communications contact 175 is equivalent to theadaptor member of the present invention.

Similarly to the first embodiment, the ninth embodiment permits pluralfunctioning members to be concurrently connected for use.

(Tenth Embodiment)

A switch assembly according to a tenth embodiment of the presentinvention will be described with reference to FIG. 30, which is anoblique perspective view of a part of an internal configuration of aswitch assembly 187 of this embodiment. In FIG. 30, the same referencecharacters as those in FIGS. 1 to 29 represent the same or equivalentparts, respectively.

The switch assembly 187 of this embodiment has a similar arrangement tothat of the switch assembly 145 shown in FIG. 24 wherein a pivotalsection pivotally mounted on a pivot shaft is pivotally moved by a forcefrom the operating shaft, thereby operating the switch of the contact.However, the assembly of this embodiment is principally different fromthe switch assembly 145 in that two pairs of operating-shaft dedicatedprojections 155 and the adaptor dedicated projections 156 formed on thepivotal section are adapted to operate independently from each other.

Such a configuration is particularly advantageous in that thepush-button section 52 can be applied not only to a so-calledpush-button switch shown in FIG. 24 but also to a selector switch.

Specifically, the selector switch (not shown) has left-hand andright-hand operating shafts which are adapted to operate independentlyfrom each other. For example, turning the selector switch clockwiseoperates the right-hand operating shaft 189R. Likewise, turning theselector switch counter-clockwise operates the left-hand operating shaft189L. Incidentally, FIG. 30 shows a state where the right-hand operatingshaft 189R is operated.

The pivotal section of this embodiment has a different configurationfrom that of the pivotal member 153 of the eighth embodiment. As seen inFIG. 30, pivotal members 191R, 191L are adapted to move a respectivepair of operating-shaft dedicated projection 192R, 192L and adaptordedicated projection 193R, 193L independently from each other. It isnoted here that the pivotal members 191R and 191L are formed by dividingthe pivotal member 153 of FIG. 24 into two parts, each of which includea respective pair of 192R, 192L and the adaptor dedicated projection193R, 193L. However, unnecessary portions are removed to attain thelight-weight pivotal members 191R, 191L of FIG. 30 so that their shapesdo not perfectly coincide with shapes obtained by dividing the pivotalmember 153 of FIG. 24 into two parts.

Operating-force transmitting members 195R, 195L are formed by dividing aquadrilateral plate with a rectangular hole defined at its center intotwo parts. In this case, a 21N-type contact 197 is used as the contact.The 21N-type contact 197 is adapted to vary its output based on arelation between the state of an upper protrusion 198U and the state ofa lower protrusion (not shown).

When the upper protrusion 198U is depressed while the lower protrusionis not depressed, for example, the contact outputs ‘State A’. On theother hand, when the upper protrusion 198U is not depressed while thelower protrusion is depressed, the contact outputs ‘State B’.

In order to handle such a 21N-type contact 197, the operating-forcetransmitting members 195R, 195L have elongated length portions for21N-type contact (hereinafter referred to as “elongated length portion”)199R, 199L, respectively.

Next, an operation of the switch assembly 187 is described. When theright-hand operating shaft 189R is moved in a direction of an arrow Y30,the right-hand operating-shaft dedicated projection 192R is depressed inthe same direction by the movement of this operating shaft 189R, therebycausing the pivotal member 191R to pivot about the shaft 152.

This causes the adaptor dedicated projection 193R to depress theright-hand operating-force transmitting member 195R in a direction of anarrow Y31. As a result, the contact dedicated projection (not shown)formed on the right-hand operating-force transmitting member 195Roperates the switching projection 76 of the communications contact 55 sothat the state of the communications contact 55 is changed.

Since the right-hand operating-force transmitting member 195R is formedwith the elongated length portion 199R, the switching projection 76 ofthe communications contact 55 and the lower protrusion of the 21N-typecontact 197 are depressed by the right-hand operating-force transmittingmember 195R thus depressed (see FIG. 30).

On the other hand, the left-hand operating-force transmitting member195L is formed with the elongated length portion 199L and therefore, theprojection (not shown) of the contact-making contact 56 and the upperprotrusion 198U of the 21N-type contact 197 are depressed by theleft-hand operating-force transmitting member 195L so depressed.

It is noted here that the operating shafts 189R, 189L are equivalent toa part of the operation receiving member of the present invention; theshaft 152, the right-hand operating-force transmitting member 195R, theleft-hand operating-force transmitting member 195L, the right-handpivotal member 191R, the left-hand pivotal member 191L, the right-handoperating-shaft dedicated projection 192R, the left-hand operating-shaftdedicated projection 192L, the right-hand adaptor dedicated projection193R and the left-hand adaptor dedicated projection 193L are equivalentto a part of the adaptor member of the present invention; thecommunications contact 55 is equivalent to the information input/outputfunctioning member of the present invention; and the contact-makingcontact 56 is equivalent to the direct functioning member of the presentinvention.

Accordingly, the tenth embodiment is applicable not only to the buttonswitch but also to the selector switch, resulting in an expanded scopeof application.

(Eleventh Embodiment)

A switch assembly according to an eleventh embodiment of the presentinvention will be described with reference to FIG. 31, which is apartially cutaway side view showing an internal configuration of aswitch assembly 201 of this embodiment. In FIG. 31, the same referencecharacters as those in FIGS. 1 to 30 represent the same or equivalentparts, respectively.

The switch assembly 201 of this embodiment comprises the push-buttonsection 52, the push-button body 53, the adaptor 146, the communicationscontact 55, a collar member 203, a fixing nut 204 and a fixing screw205.

The push-button section 52 is mounted to a mounting board 20.6 at apredetermined place thereof. The collar member 203 is mounted to aprojecting portion 208 of the push-button section 52. The collar member203 is of a circular shape and formed with a circular hole at itscenter. The projecting portion 208 of the push-button section 52 isinserted in this circular hole.

Then, a female screw formed on the fixing nut 204 is screwed togetherwith a male screw formed on an outer periphery of the projecting portion208 of the push-button section 52, thereby fixing the push-buttonsection 52 to the mounting board 206.

Next, the fixing screw 205 is inserted in a fixing hole (not shown)defined in the push-button body 53 and then a distal end of the fixingscrew 205 is inserted in a fixing screw hole 209 defined at the collarmember 203. The fixing screw hole 209 is formed with a female screw.

In this state, the push-button body 53 is secured to the push-buttonsection 52 by tightening the fixing screw 205 for screwing the fixingscrew 205 with the fixing screw hole 209 of the collar member 203.

It is noted here that the push-button section 52 is equivalent to theoperation receiving member of the present invention, the push-buttonbody 53 and the adaptor 146 to the adaptor member of the presentinvention, the communications contact 55 to the information input/outputfunctioning member of the present invention, the collar member 203 tothe operation-receiving-member dedicated connection portion of thepresent invention, the fixing nut 204 to a base member of the presentinvention, and the fixing screw 205 to a fixing member of the presentinvention.

According the eleventh embodiment, the functioning member such as thecommunications contact 55 and the like may be used as combined with thepush-button section 52 via the adaptor 146.

(Twelfth Embodiment)

A switch assembly according to a twelfth embodiment of the presentinvention will be described with reference to FIG. 32, which explains anoperation of a switch assembly 211 of this embodiment. In FIG. 32, thesame reference characters as those in FIGS. 1 to 31 represent the sameor equivalent parts, respectively.

The switch assembly 211 of this embodiment employs the selector switchof the above tenth embodiment as a switch section thereof. As mentionedsupra, the selector switch is designed such that turning the switchclockwise operates the right-hand operating shaft 189R whereas turningthe switch counter-clockwise operates the left-hand operating shaft189L.

The switch assembly 211 comprises an intermediary box 213, acommunications contact 214, and the contact-making contact 56.

The intermediary box 213 contains therein an intermediary bar 215. Theintermediary bar 215 comprises a main shaft 215 m as a central portion,and a branch shaft 215 s perpendicularly extended from the main shaft215 m.

The intermediary bar 215 is operated in a direction of an arrow Y32 inconjunction with a movement of the left-hand operating shaft 189L of theselector switch in the direction of the arrow Y32. That is, as theleft-hand operating shaft 189L is moved in the direction of the arrowY32 as seen in FIG. 32(a), the intermediary bar 215 is also moved in thesame direction as the above. As shown in FIG. 32(b), this allows themain shaft 215 m of the intermediary bar 215 to press the switchingprojection 77 of the contact-making contact 56, thereby changing thestate of the contact-making contact 56.

On the other hand, the movement of the intermediary bar 215 in thedirection of the arrow Y32 involves a movement of the branch shaft 215 sin the direction of the arrow Y32. As shown in FIG. 32(b), this allowsthe branch shaft 215 s to press a switch 216 disposed internally of thecommunications contact 214. As a result, an information signal isoutputted from the communications contact 214.

Incidentally, the communications contact 214 is formed with arectangular hole in its side surface for receiving an operating forceprovided by the intermediary box 213.

In this manner, the intermediary box 213 transmits the operating forcein the direction of the arrow Y32, received from the operating shaft189L or 189R, to the contact-making contact 56 present on an extendedline along the operating direction of the operating shaft 189L or 189R(the direction of the arrow Y32), while directing the operating force toa different direction and then outputting the resultant operating forceto the communications contact 214.

According to the twelfth embodiment, the use of the intermediary box 213permits the motion of the operating shafts 189L, 189R to be transmittedalong a different direction from the extended line of the movement ofthe operating shafts 189L, 189R.

It is noted that the operating shafts 189L, 189R are equivalent to apart of the operation transmitting member of the present inventionwhereas the intermediary box 213 is equivalent to a intermediary memberof the present invention.

According to the illustration of the above twelfth embodiment, thebranch shaft 215 s operates the communications contact 214. It isneedless to say that an arrangement may be made such that thecontact-making contact 56 is operated by the branch shaft 215 s. On theother hand, the main shaft 215 m is described to operate thecontact-making contact 56. However, it is also possible for the mainshaft 215 m to operate the communications contact 214.

In the illustration of the twelfth embodiment, only the intermediary box213 for the operating shaft 189L is shown. As a matter of course, thesame intermediary box may be provided for the operating shaft 189R.Likewise, the intermediary boxes 213 may concurrently be provided forthe operating shafts 189L, 189R.

Alternatively, there may be provided an adaptor member (such as theadaptor 138 shown in FIG. 22, for example) capable of receiving theoperation of the operating shafts 189L, 189R while the intermediary box213 may be connected with the adaptor member.

The above twelfth embodiment is arranged such that the intermediarymember 213 changes the operating direction of the operating shafts 189L,189R before providing the output to the communications contact 214.However, the intermediary member may directly output the operating forceof the operating shafts 189L, 189R in the same direction as received,thereby operating the communications contact 214 or the like.

(Thirteenth Embodiment)

A switch assembly according to a thirteenth embodiment of the presentinvention will be described with reference to FIGS. 33 and 34. FIG. 33is a disassembled oblique perspective view of a switch assembly 219 ofthis embodiment as seen from the rear side, whereas FIG. 34 is anoblique perspective view of a part thereof. In FIGS. 33 and 34, the samereference characters as those in FIG. 1 to 32 represent the same orequivalent parts, respectively.

The switch assembly 219 of this embodiment comprises a switch section(not shown), a switch adaptor (not shown), the push-button body 111, avertical/horizontal-orientation changing adaptor 220 and a 2IN-typecontact-making contact having LED 222.

<2IN-Type Contact-Making Contact Having LED)

The 2IN-type contact-making contact having LED (hereinafter referred toas “2IN contact”) 222 comprises two switching projections 223 and a pairof projecting connectors 224 (one of which is not shown).

The 2IN contact 222 resembles the 2IN-type contact 197 of the abovetenth embodiment in that the output is changed depending upon the stateof the two switching projections 223. It is noted that the 2IN contact222 of this embodiment is adapted to change the lighting state of theLED (such as light-up or light-off of the LED) based on the sate of theswitching projections 223.

The projecting connector 224 has the same configuration as thecommunications contact 55 shown in FIG. 1 or the like. Therefore, it isalso possible to connect the 2IN contact 222 with the push-button body111 by engaging the projecting connectors 224 of the 2IN contact 222with the contact dedicated connectors 79 of the push-button body 111. Inthis case, the switching projections 223 are arranged along a directionof an arrow Y33 (see FIG. 33). Accordingly, an operation-positionchanging mechanism, such as shown in FIG. 32, is required for operatingeach of the switching projections 223.

<Vertical/Horizontal-Orientation Changing Adaptor>

Mounting projections 226 engage with the contact dedicated connectors 79of the push-button body 111 for fixing thevertical/horizontal-orientation changing adaptor 220 to the push-buttonbody 111. The vertical/horizontal-orientation changing adaptor 220 isprovided with the mounting projections 226 and with contact dedicatedconnectors 227 formed along a plane orthogonal to the plane on which themounting projections 226 are formed.

The contact dedicated connectors 227 engage with the projectingconnectors 224 of the 2IN contact 222 thereby fixedly connecting the 2INcontact 222 with the vertical/horizontal-orientation changing adaptor220.

According to the thirteenth embodiment, thevertical/horizontal-orientation changing adaptor 220 is used to fix the2IN contact 222 so that the switching projections 223 are arranged alonga direction of an arrow Y34. As a result, the state of the 2IN contact222 can be changed without the operation-position changing mechanism orthe like which is necessary when the 21N contact 222 is directlyconnected with the push-button body 111.

FIG. 34 shows a state where the push-button body 111, thevertical/horizontal-orientation changing adaptor 220 and the 2IN contact222 are combined together.

In the above thirteenth embodiment, the 2IN contact 222 is described asthe contact-making contact. Instead, the 2IN contact may serve as thecommunications contact.

The above thirteenth embodiment has been described by way of the examplewhere the push-button body 111 is connectable with the switch adaptor110. Alternatively, there may be used the push-button body 53 (seeFIG. 1) wherein the switch adaptor 110 and the push-button body 111 areunified.

(Fourteenth Embodiment)

A switch assembly according to a fourteenth embodiment of the presentinvention will be described with reference to FIG. 35. In FIG. 35, thesame reference characters as those in FIGS. 1 to 32 represent the sameor equivalent parts, respectively.

This embodiment represents an example where the switch assembly isapplied to an indicator lamp L1, which comprises an indication sectionL11, an indicator adaptor L12, an indicator connection section L13, andan LED box (not shown) as a functioning member including a lightingcomponent for lighting operation. The indication section L11, theindicator adaptor L12 and the indicator connection section L13 areequivalent to a front-side member of the present invention.

Since the unillustrated LED box is the same as the LED box 54 (see FIG.7) of the first embodiment, this LED box has the contact dedicatedconnectors 79 for connection with the indicator connection section L13which have a compatible configuration with the communications contact orthe contact-making contact.

By the way, the indication section L11 includes a translucent coloredindication panel L111 and a casing L112 for retaining the indicationpanel L111. The casing L112 is formed with an engagement groove L113.

On the other hand, the indicator adaptor L12 is provided with a pair ofconnectors L121, and an engaging projection L122. The connectors L121and the engaging projection L122 have the same configurations as theconnectors 114 and the push-button engaging projection 115 of the switchadaptor 110 of the third embodiment (see FIG. 15). Accordingly, theindicator adaptor L12 and the indication section L11 are fixedlycombined together through engagement between the engaging projectionL122 and the engagement groove L113.

The indicator connection section L13 is provided with three pairs ofcontact dedicated connectors L131, and a pair of adaptor-connectingprojections L132. The connecting projections L132 engage with theconnectors L121 thereby fixedly connecting the indicator connectionsection L13 with the indicator adaptor L12.

Mounted to the contact dedicated connectors L131 is the unillustratedLED box, an LED (the same LED as the LED 72 of FIG. 7) of which isinserted through an aperture L133 of the indicator connection sectionL13 and then into the indication section L11. Therefore, the lightingcondition of the LED can be checked through the indication panel L111.

Since the indicator connection section L13 is formed with three pairs ofcontact dedicated connectors L131, the LED boxes individually havingLEDs of different colors may be mounted thereby increasing the kinds ofindication colors.

As understood from the foregoing, the indicator lamp L1 has no operationsection so that the light-up and light-off of the LED are effected by asignal from a source external of the indicator lamp L1.

According to the fourteenth embodiment, the provision of the indicatoradaptor L12 permits the indication section L11 and the indicatorconnection section L13 to be interconnected for use even if theindication section L11 is not configured to be compatible with theindicator connection section L13.

(Fifteenth Embodiment)

A switch module with lamp or an input/output module as an electricalcomponent according to a fifteenth embodiment of the present inventionwill be described with reference to FIGS. 36 and 37. FIG. 36 is anoblique perspective view of the module as seen from the rear side,whereas FIG. 37 is a sectional view showing an internal configuration ofthe module.

A switch module with lamp 300 shown in FIG. 36 comprises a casing 310which contains therein a communications section 311 as the informationinput/output functioning member and a device section 312 including avariety of devices as the direct functioning member. An operationsection 320 is exposed from one side of the casing 310, the operationsection 320 giving a lamp indication to the operator or serving as theoperation transmitting member (the driving member) providing a switch tobe depressed by the operator. The casing 310 is provided with aconnecting section 330 on its opposite side from the operation section320, the connecting section 330 being connected with a transmission path313 (a first transmission line 314 and a second transmission line 315).

FIG. 37 is a vertical sectional view showing the internal configurationof the switch module with lamp 300, the switch module having theconnecting section 330 positioned upwardly and the operation section 320positioned downwardly. It is noted that the internal configuration ofthe switch module with lamp 300 is depicted in a properly simplifiedfashion.

The casing 310 contains therein a circuit-board 316 for performing inputor output of signal via the transmission path 313 and for receiving anelectric power supplied via the transmission path 313, a lamp 317 foremitting light to the operator, a switch 318 detecting a pressing actionof the operator for performing a switching operation, and the like.

Defined on the circuit-board 316 are the communications section 311 forcommunicating signals with a main control unit (not shown) via thetransmission path 313, and an interface section 319, as a part of thedevice section 312, which is interposed between the communicationssection 311 and input and output devices such as the lamp 317, theswitch 318 and the like.

A barrel portion 321 of a tubular shape is formed at a connectionportion between the operation section 320 and the casing 310. Atransparent member 322 transparent to light is mounted to an end surfaceof the operation section 320, the end surface facing the operator. Thispermits the operator to recognize light emitted from the lamp 317 andtraveling through an interior of the barrel portion 321 and thetransparent member 322.

The switch 318 and a spring 323 are disposed at the other end (on theopposite side to the transparent member 322) of the barrel portion 321.When the operator presses the operation section 320 with his finger, thespring 323 is energized while the switch 318 performs the switchingoperation. When the operator releases his finger from the operationsection 320, the operation section 320 is returned to its initialposition by means of a restoring force of the spring 323.

In this manner, the casing 310 provides an integrated configuration tothe switch module with lamp 300, containing therein the device section312 composed of the lamp 317, the switch 318 and the interface section319, and the communications section 311.

According to the fifteenth embodiment, the casing 310 unifies the devicesection 312 and the communications section 311 (into a unit block),thereby, for example, negating the need for an operation and space forwiring between the communications section and the devices necessary forthe transmission system in the general bus-system network. Hence,various types of input/output modules including the switch module withlamp 300 may be readily installed in the transmission system in thebus-system network. Furthermore, the overall installation space for thetransmission system may be decreased.

(Sixteenth Embodiment)

A sixteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described withreference to FIG. 38, which is a connection block diagram of a part ofthis embodiment. The same reference characters as those in FIGS. 36 and37 represent the same or equivalent parts, respectively.

FIG. 38 illustrates a method for efficiently utilizing output ports 332of a main circuit 331 with the aim of achieving the greatest possibleomission of additional power sources connected with the input/outputmodule such as the aforesaid switch module with lamp. FIG. 38 assumes,as the device, an input/output module only having a lamp 333 so thatonly the main circuit 331, the interface section 319 and the lamp 333are shown.

In the general transmission system of the bus-system network, connectionis normally made such that one output port 332 of the main circuit 331always corresponds to one input of a device. For instance, a devicehaving one input, such as a lamp, is connected to one output port 332.

For comparison with this embodiment, Table 1 shows a conventionalexample of how four output ports 332 are

TABLE 1 Port No. 1 2 3 4 Output Current 1 output point A — — — 1 mA 2output points A B — — 1 mA 4 output points A B C D 1 mA

As shown in Table 1, where the device has only one input (for example,one lamp), one signal is to be outputted from the output port 332(hereinafter, expressed as “the number of output point is 1”), so thatit has been a practice to directly or indirectly connect only one outputport 332 with the device. Where the number of output point is 2, twooutput ports 332 are connected with the device. Since the main circuit331 has four output ports 332, the main circuit 331 is capable ofsimultaneously outputting four kinds of signals to the device.

According to the conventional connection method shown in Table 1,current supply to one output point is limited to the amount of currentflowing out of one output port 332. When a lamp operable on a lowcurrent is used as the device, the amount of current supplied from oneoutput port 332 of the main circuit 331 is sufficient for operating thelamp and hence, there is no need for an additional power source.However, in order to operate a lamp requiring a relatively high current,the current supplied from one output port 332 is insufficient so that anadditional power source must be connected to the interface section 319.

The example of FIG. 38 suggests a connection method wherein even thelamp 333, requiring a relatively high current and an additional powersource in the conventional connection method, can be operated withoutbeing connected with the additional power source. As seen in FIG. 38,the four output ports 332 of the main circuit 331 are connected with theinterface section 319, in which the four output ports 332 are unifiedand led to the lamp 333. Additionally, the same signal is outputted fromthe four output ports 332. Thus, the amount of current flowing into thelamp 333 is increased to the sum of currents flowing out of the fouroutput ports 332.

As a result, even if one output port 332 is capable of outputting up to1 mA, the connection method of FIG. 38 permits a current of up to 4 mAto flow through the lamp 333. That is, if the lamp 333 operates on acurrent of not less than 1 mA and not more than 4 mA, the lamp 333 canbe activated without providing an additional power source.

Table 2 shows a connection relationship between the output port 332 andthe interface section 319 when the output ports 332 are efficiently usedaccording to this embodiment.

TABLE 2 Port No. 1 2 3 4 Output Current 1 output point A A A A 4 mA 2output points A A B B 2 mA

As seen in Table 2, if the number of output point is 1 (only “A” shownin Table 2), the output point can be supplied with a current of up to 4mA as shown in the example of FIG. 38. If the number of output points is2 (“A” and “B” in Table 2), a current of up to 2 mA can be supplied toeach output point by dividing the outputs from the four output ports 332into two. As a matter of course, the output ports 332 may be divided ata ratio of 3:1 when the number of output points is 2. If the number ofoutput points is 3, the output ports 332 may be divided at a ratio of2:1:1. Then, the same signal is outputted from the output ports 332unified by the interface section 319.

According to the sixteenth embodiment, the same output is assigned totwo or more of the plural output ports 332 and hence, a device incapableof being activated by a current from one output port 332 can beactivated without providing an additional power source. As a result, theembodiment accomplishes a reduced installation space as compared withthe space where the input/output module, such as the switch module withlamp 300 provided with an additional power source (see FIG. 36),including an additional power source, is installed. This results in, forexample, a simplified structure of the transmission system of thebus-system network.

(Seventeenth Embodiment)

A switch module with lamp or an input/output module as the electricalcomponent according to a seventeenth embodiment of the present inventionwill be described with reference to FIGS. 39 and 40. FIG. 39 is adisassembled oblique perspective view of the module as seen from therear side, whereas FIG. 40 is an explanatory diagram of an operationthereof. It is noted that the same reference characters as those inFIGS. 36 and 37 represent the same or equivalent parts, respectively.

FIG. 39 illustrates another mode of the switch module with lamp 300 (seeFIGS. 36 and 37) as the input/output module according to the fifteenthembodiment. The aforesaid switch module with lamp 300 includes theconnecting section 330 in the form of a tab terminal. In the switchmodule with lamp 300 of FIG. 39, on the other hand, the casing 310consists of two sub-casings 310 a, 310 b which are separable from eachother. The sub-casing 310 b on the side of the connecting section 330contains therein the communications section 311 whereas the sub-casing310 a on the side of the operation section 320 contains therein thedevice section 312 including the interface section 319, the lamp 317,the switch 318 and the like. When the two sub-casings 310 a, 310 b arecombined together, the main circuit 331 of the communications section311 and the interface section 319 are interconnected via a terminal 340.

According to the seventeenth embodiment, even the input/output moduleintegrating the communications section 311 and the device section 312facilitates the installation, maintenance and design of the input/outputmodule, as will be described hereinafter, because the sub-casing 310 bcontains therein a part of or the whole body of the communicationssection 311 and is provided with the connecting section 330 whereas thesub-casing 310 a contains therein the remaining part of thecommunications section 311 and the device section 312, the sub-casings310 a, 310 b being detachably connected with each other.

FIG. 40 is an explanatory diagram of an operation for installing aninput/output module 341 such as the switch module with lamp includingthe two sub-casings 310 a, 310 b the same way as that of FIG. 39. Asshown in FIG. 40, when the input/output module 341 is installed, thesub-casing 310 b is first mounted to a predetermined mounting board 343(the mounting board 343 is previously formed with a transmission path313) so as to connect the communications section 311 with thetransmission path 313.

In this case, the communications section 311 is common to various typesof input/output modules 341 and hence, the sub-casing 310 b includingthe communications section 311 may be mounted without considering thetype of the input/output module 341 to be mounted. Therefore, theinput/output module 341 can readily be installed.

After completion of the installation of the sub-casing 310 b, thesub-casing 310 a is connected with the sub-casing 301 b to complete theinstallation of the input/output module 341. Thus, the operation forinterconnecting wirings of the communications section and the devicesection, which is required by the general transmission system of thebus-system network, can be dispensed with by using the input/outputmodule 341 of FIG. 39 wherein the sub-casing 310 a is detachablyconnected with the sub-casing 310 b.

In the event that the device section 312 of any one of the input/outputmodules 341 fails, the maintenance work for the transmission system canbe done by merely replacing the sub-casing 310 a while the sub-casing301 b is left as it is. Thus, there is no need to replace the whole bodyof the input/output module 341.

On the other hand, design efforts can be decreased by an approachwherein the sub-casing 310 b and internal parts thereof are designed ascommon parts to various types of input/output modules 341 (that is, thesub-casing 310 b is designed to totally or partially include thecommunications section 311), whereas the sub-casing 310 a and internalparts thereof are designed as parts specific to each of the varioustypes of input/output modules 341.

(Eighteenth Embodiment)

An eighteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described withreference to FIG. 41, which is a disassembled oblique perspective viewshowing a part of a switch module with lamp. The same referencecharacters as those in FIGS. 36 and 37 represent the same or equivalentparts, respectively.

FIG. 41 is an oblique perspective view showing a structure of a switchmodule with lamp 351 mounted to a mounting board 350, the modulerepresenting another specific example of the input/output module as theelectrical component.

The switch module with lamp 351 has substantially the same configurationas the switch module with lamp 300 of FIG. 35. The switch module 351includes the operation section 320 operatively depressed by the operatorwith his finger and directing the light from the lamp to the operator,and the connecting section 330 connected with the first and the secondtransmission lines 314, 315. A contact block 353 formed with theconnecting section 330 is provided with the communications section 311,the interface section 319, the lamp 317 as an output device and theswitch 318 as an input device. The lamp 317 is mounted to a surface ofthe contact block 353 whereas the switch 318 is mounted to the contactblock 353 as partially contained therein. The interface section 319, thelamp 317 and the switch 318 constitute the device section 312.

In this manner, a casing providing the integral form of the input/outputmodule may be defined by the combination of outside structures of theoperation section 320 and of the contact block 353.

According to the eighteenth embodiment, the switch module with lamp 351has the same outside structure as the conventional contact-makingcontact block, thus permitting a plurality of conventionalcontact-making contact blocks to be mounted in side-by-side relationwith the thin contact block 353. This permits the operator to turnON/OFF the load without using the network or to directly apply anemergency stop-signal especially required the safety without using thenetwork.

According to the above eighteenth embodiment, the switch module withlamp 351 as a whole defines a single input/output module. However, thecontact block 353 itself defines an input/output module having thedevice section 312 and the communications section 311. In this manner,an input/output module with a communication function may define thecontact block 353. In this case, a member 355 defining an outsidestructure of the contact block 353 serves as the casing.

(Nineteenth Embodiment)

A nineteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described withreference to FIG. 42, which is a disassembled oblique perspective view.The same reference characters as those in FIGS. 36 and 37 represent thesame or equivalent parts, respectively.

FIG. 42 is an oblique perspective view showing a structure of aninput/output module 361 utilizing a known sensor 360, the modulerepresenting still another specific example of the input/output moduleas the electrical component.

The input/output module 361 comprises the known sensor 360 and aconnector 362 interposed into the transmission path 313. The connector362 is connected with a connector 363 of the sensor 360.

The connector 362 contains therein the interface section 319 and thecommunications section 311 such that the sensor 360 may be utilized asit is. Accordingly, the sensor 360 and the interface section 319constitute the device section 312.

In the input/output module 361 of FIG. 42, a casing of the sensor 360can be regarded as one sub-casing 365 whereas a casing of the connector362 c an be regarded as another sub-casing 366. Thus, the input/outputmodule 361 is constructed such that the device is disposed in thesub-casing 365 while the interface section 319 and communicationssection 311 are disposed in the sub-casing 366. The input/output module361 integrally constructed from these structures is formed by combiningthe sub-casing 365 with the sub-casing 366.

According to the nineteenth embodiment, the sub-casing 366 is defined bythe connector 362 having the communication function, thereby permittingthe known sensor 360 itself to be used as a part of the input/outputmodule 361. This negates the need for designing an additional sensorincorporating the communications section, contributing to decreaseddesign efforts. Needless to say, the present invention is not limited tothe use of the sensor but permits the known switch, lamp or the like tobe directly used as a part of the input/output module.

(Twentieth Embodiment)

A communications apparatus according to a twentieth embodiment of thepresent invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 43 to 46.FIG. 43 is a connection block diagram of this embodiment; FIG. 44 afragmentary connection diagram thereof; FIG. 45 a fragmentary schematicdiagram showing a configuration thereof; and FIG. 46 a timing chart forexplaining an operation thereof.

As shown in FIG. 43, a communications apparatus 400 of this embodimentmay be applied to, for example, the bus-system network and is configuredto integrate a communications contact 401 and an input circuit unit 402,the communications contact 401 representing the information input/outputfunctioning member of the aforesaid switch assembly 51 or the like. Inthis case, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, the communications contact401 may be unified with the input circuit unit 402 in a manner that anoperation section (to be described hereinafter) of the input circuitunit 402 is constituted by the push-button section 52 and thepush-button body 53 in detachably combined relation whereas a contactcase incorporating the communications contact 401 and a circuit portionof the input circuit unit 402 is detachably mounted to the abovepush-button body.

The push button may be of a so-called temporary retention type which isoperatively depressed to be retained in a depressed state and then isdepressed again to be returned to its initial state. Otherwise, the pushbutton may be of a type which is placed in the depressed state whilesubjected to a pressing force and returns to its initial state when thepressing force is released.

As shown in FIG. 43, the communications contact 401 comprises anintegrated communication circuit incorporating an input interface 405(hereinafter, referred to as “input I/F”). The communications contact401 has its positive supply terminal Vin connected to the positive +Vbus line B1 via a coil 406, and its zero-volt terminal Z and groundterminal GND connected to the reference 0V bus line B2. Furthermore, twotransmission terminals (not shown) of the communications contact 401 areconnected to both the bus lines B1, B2. Thus, the communications contact401 communicates communication signals comprised of voltage signalssuperimposed on the bus lines B1, B2. In the case of a two-wire systemusing the bus lines B1, B2, the circuit is branched in parallel and needto satisfy a requirement of accomplishing the minimum possibleattenuation for transmitting an AC component (signal) over a greatdistance as well as a requirement of flowing the greatest possibleamount of DC current against a load present in the circuit. The abovecoil 406 is provided to serve these purposes. Hence, the coil 406 actsas a high impedance to the AC component (signal) thereby to prevent theattenuation, while acting as a low impedance to the DC component(electric power) thereby to permit a great amount of DC component toflow.

The input terminal Din of the input I/F 405 is connected with the inputcircuit unit 402, a movable part of which is operatively depressed forswitching a level of the input terminal Din of the input I/F 405. Thus,an operation mode of the communications contact 401 is changed.

As shown in FIGS. 44 and 45, for example, the input circuit unit 402comprises an operation section 411 having a contactless switchingcontact configuration, a current-limiting section 412, a retainingsection 413, and a constant-voltage circuit 414 with an input terminalconnected to the positive +V bus line B1.

As seen in FIG. 45, the operation section 411 comprises aphotointerruptor including a light emitting diode L as a light emittingdevice and a phototransistor T as a photo acceptance unit, and alight-shielding member B for shielding light from the light emittingdiode L into the phototransistor T in conjunction with the depression ofthe push button as the movable part. Both a cathode of the lightemitting diode L and an emitter of the phototransistor T are connectedto the reference 0V bus line B2.

The current-limiting section 412 responds to the movement of thelight-shielding member B by controlling carrying current into the lightemitting diode L to a set value for a previously determined period oftime from the time when the light from the light emitting diode L entersthe phototransistor T.

Specifically, the current-limiting section 412 comprises a mono-multivibrator including a PNP transistor Q1, an emitter of which is connectedto an output terminal of the constant-voltage circuit 414 via aresistance R1 and a collector of which is connected to an anode of thelight emitting diode L of the operation section 411; a resistance R2,one end of which is connected to the output terminal of theconstant-voltage circuit 414 and the other end of which is connected toa base of the transistor Q1; and a capacitor C, one end of which isconnected to the base of the transistor Q1 and the other end of which isconnected to the output terminal of the constant-voltage circuit 414 viaa resistance R3.

The other end of the capacitor C is also connected to the collector ofthe phototransistor T so that the transistor Q1 is positive-feedbackconnected to the collector of the phototransistor T via the capacitor C.In FIG. 44, R4 represents a resistance connected between the collectorand the emitter of the transistor Q1.

The retaining section 413 responds to the movement of thelight-shielding member B of the operation section 411 by retaining thelevel of an input signal to the input I/F 405 of the communicationscontact 401 during a period between when the light from the lightemitting diode L enters the phototransistor T and when the light fromthe light emitting diode L is blocked.

As shown in FIG. 44, the retaining section 413 comprises a D-flip-flopDf (hereinafter, referred to as “D-FF”), a NAND gate Ng, and resistancesR5, R6. The NAND gate Ng has two input terminals thereof connected tothe collector of the transistor Q1 and to the other end of the capacitorC, and has an output terminal thereof connected to a set terminal S ofthe D-FF Df. The D-FF Df has a D-input terminal thereof connected to theconstant-voltage circuit 414, a clock terminal CK thereof connected tothe other end of the capacitor C via the resistance R5, and a resetterminal R thereof directly connected to the other end of the capacitorC. A Q(bar)-output terminal of the D-FF Df is connected to the inputterminal Din of the input I/F 405 of the communications contact 401. Theresistance R6 is connected between the clock terminal CK of the D-FF Dfand the bus line B2.

Next, an operation of the above input circuit unit 402 is described withreference to a timing chart of FIG. 46.

As shown in FIG. 46(a), the light-shielding member of the operationsection 411 moves at each depression of the push button of the operationsection 411, so that the photointerruptor is controllably switchedbetween a light-shielding state (ON) and a light-emitting state (OFF).

When the photointerruptor is in the light-shielding state (ON) asindicated by FIG. 46(a), the phototransistor T is OFF having an outputvoltage (from the collector) at V2 (high level), as shown in FIG. 46(c).At this time, the transistor Q1 in positive-feedback connection with thecollector of the phototransistor T is OFF while the current through thelight emitting diode L is at I0, as indicated by FIG. 46(b). As seen inFIG. 46(d), the Q(bar)-output terminal of the D-FF Df of the retainingsection 413 is at a low level.

When the push button in this state is depressed to be returned to itsinitial state thereby switching the photointerruptor to thelight-emitting state (OFF) as indicated by FIG. 46(a), thelight-shielding member B moves to allow the light from the lightemitting diode L to enter the phototransistor T. Thus, thephototransistor T is turned ON thereby to switch ON the transistor Q1,so that the output voltage from the phototransistor T is at V0 (lowlevel) as indicated by FIG. 46(c).

On the other hand, a base potential of the transistor Q1 rises at a timeconstant (equivalent to a predetermined time period) given by theresistance R2 and the capacitor C to reverse the transistor Q1 to OFF.Thus, the current of the set value I1 (>I0) flows through the lightemitting diode L as indicated by FIG. 46(b) while the transistor Q1 isON, and the current through the light emitting diode L is lowered againto 10 in conjunction with the transistor Q1 switched to OFF, asindicated by FIG. 46(b). At this time, the time-constant circuit formedby the resistance R1 and the capacitor C raises the output voltage fromthe phototransistor T to V1 (V2>V1>V0) as indicated by FIG. 46(c).

In conjunction with the output voltage of the phototransistor T to V0(low level), a reset signal is inputted to the reset terminal R of theD-FF Df for resetting the D-FF Df, so that the Q(bar)-output terminal ofthe D-FF Df is reversed to high level as indicated by FIG. 46(d). Thehigh level of the Q(bar)-output terminal is retained until thedepression of the push button of the operation section 411 causes thelight-shielding member B to move to switch the photointerruptor to thelight-shielding state (ON) thereby raising the output voltage of thephototransistor T to V2 (high level).

In the event of a disconnection failure in the light emitting diode L ofthe operation section 411, the output voltage of the phototransistor Trises to V2 (high level) while the voltage of the collector of thetransistor Q1 is pulled up by the resistances R1 and R4. Accordingly,the output from the NAND gate Ng is reversed to low level so that a setsignal is inputted to the set terminal S of the D-FF Df of the retainingsection 413 for retaining the Q(bar)-output terminal at low level asindicated by a broken line of FIG. 46(d).

Thus, responding to the depression of the push button of the operationsection 411, the current-limiting section 412 controls the carryingcurrent into the light emitting diode L to the set value of I1 for thepredetermined period of time as the time constant given by theresistance R2 and the capacitor C, the time period starting from thetime when the light from the light emitting diode L of the operationsection 411 enters the phototransistor T. Therefore, the carryingcurrent is decreased to I0 smaller than the set value after the lapse ofthe predetermined period of time.

On the other hand, the retaining section 413 retains the input signal tothe input I/F 405 of the communications contact 401 at high level for aperiod of time between the time when the light from the light emittingdiode L of the operation section 411 enters the phototransistor T andthe time when the light-shielding member B blocks the light from thelight emitting diode L. In the event of a disconnection failure in thelight emitting diode L of the operation section 411, the Q(bar)-outputterminal of the D-FF Df of the retaining section 413 is automaticallyswitched to low level and hence, the input to the input I/F 405 of thecommunications contact 401 becomes low. Therefore, a failure of thephotointerruptor can be recognized.

According to the twentieth embodiment, the operation section 411 in theinput circuit unit 402 of the communications apparatus 400 can be drivenlike a pulse only when it is required. Therefore, the current value ofthe light emitting diode L of the operation section 411 can be loweredas compared with the conventional contact-making configuration. Thisresults in an extended service life of the operation section 411 as wellas in the reduction of power consumption.

Since the heat generation from the operation section 411 can bedecreased by lowering the current value of the light emitting diode Lthereof, a group of contact cases individually incorporating therein thecommunications contact 401 and a circuit portion of the input circuitunit 402 may be collectively mounted to constitute the communicationsapparatus 400 without encountering a fear of overheat.

In addition, the reliability of the apparatus can be improved becausethe failure of the operation-section 411 can be detected based on thevariations of the level of the Q(bar)-output terminal of the D-FF Df ofthe retaining section 413 and the level of the output voltage from thephototransistor T.

(Twenty-First Embodiment)

A twenty-first embodiment of the present invention will be describedwith reference to FIGS. 47 to 49. FIG. 47 is a connection block diagramof this embodiment; FIG. 48 a fragmentary connection diagram thereof;and FIG. 49 a timing chart for explaining an operation thereof. Thefollowing description is made with reference to FIG. 45, as well.

As shown in FIG. 47, a communications apparatus 420 of this embodimentis configured to integrate, besides the aforesaid input I/F 405, acommunications contact 421 incorporating a pulse-width modulation (PWM)output circuit 407 used for control, an operation section 422 includingthe photointerruptor and the light-shielding member B similarly to theoperation section 411 of FIG. 45, and a retaining circuit unit 423.

Likewise to the aforementioned twentieth embodiment, the operationsection 422 comprises the push button and the push-button body indetachably connected relation, whereas a contact case incorporating thecommunications contact 421, the retaining circuit unit 423, othercircuit components or the like is detachably mounted to the bush-buttonbody. In this manner, the communications contact 421, the operationsection 422 and the retaining circuit unit 423 may be integrated.

In FIG. 47, R7 represents a resistance connected between the positive +Vbus line B1 and the anode of the light emitting diode L; and R8represents a resistance connected between the positive +V bus line B1and the collector of the phototransistor T in the operation section 422.The aforesaid coil 406 is interposed between the positive +V bus line B1and the positive supply terminal Vin of the communications contact 421,the resistance R7 and the resistance R8.

Similarly to that shown in FIG. 43, the communications contact 421comprises the integrated communication circuit and has a positive supplyterminal Vin thereof connected to the positive +V bus line B1 whilehaving a zero-volt terminal Z and a ground terminal GND thereofconnected to the reference 0V bus line B2. On the other hand, twotransmission terminals (not shown) of the communications contact 421 areconnected to these bus lines B1, B2. Thus, the communications contact421 communicates communication signals comprised of voltage signalssuperimposed on the bus lines B1, B2.

The retaining circuit unit 423 comprises, as shown in FIG. 48 forexample, a first and a second D-FFs D1, D2 and a constant-voltagecircuit 423, an input terminal of which is connected to the positive +Vbus line B1. A D-input terminal of the first D-FF D1 is connected to thecollector of the phototransistor T. A respective clock terminal CK ofboth the D-FFs D1, D2 is connected to an output terminal Do of the PWMoutput circuit 407 in the communications contact 421 whereas arespective set terminals and reset terminal R of both the D-FFs D1, D2are connected to an output terminal of the constant-voltage circuit 425.AQ(bar)-output terminal of the second D-FF D2 is connected to the inputterminal Din of the input I/F 405 in the communications contact 421. Thecathode of the light emitting diode L is connected to the outputterminal Do of the PWM output circuit 407 whereas the emitter of thephototransistor T is connected to the bus line B2.

Operations of the operation section 422 and the retaining circuit unit423 are described with reference to a timing chart of FIG. 49.

As indicated by FIG. 49(b), the PWM output circuit 407 of thecommunications contact 421 outputs a low PWM pulse signal based on agiven period whereas, as indicated by FIG. 49(c), a current of I1 flowsthrough the light emitting diode L of the operation section 422 insynchronism with the low PWM pulse signal. When the PWM pulse signal isat high level, the current through the light emitting diode L is at I0(<I1).

When the photointerruptor is in the light-shielding state (ON), the pushbutton is depressed to be returned to its initial state. In response tothe photointerruptor switched to the light-emitting state (OFF) asindicated by FIG. 49(a), the light-shielding member B moves to allow thelight from the light emitting diode L to enter the phototransistor T sothat the phototransistor T is turned ON with a little time delay afterthe light ingress. Thus, the output voltage (from the collector) of thephototransistor T becomes low as indicated by FIG. 49(d).

The current flow through the light emitting diode L of the operationsection 422 effects a signal to input to the clock terminals CK of boththe D-FFs D1, D2 so that the Q-output terminal of the first D-FF D1 andthe Q(bar)-output terminal of the second D-FF D2 are each reversed tohigh level as indicated by FIGS. 49(e) and (f). The high levels areretained until a low level signal is inputted to the D-input terminalsof both the D-FFs D1, D2 in response to the phototransistor T switchedON.

When the low level signal is inputted to the D-input terminals of theD-FFs D1, D2, the Q output terminal of the first D-FF D1 and theQ(bar)-output terminal of the second D-FF D2 are both reversed to lowlevel. Particularly in response to the photointerruptor switched to thelight-emitting state (OFF), the Q(bar)-output terminal of the secondD-FF D2 outputs a low signal to the input terminal Din of the input I/F405 in the communications contact 421.

In the event of a disconnection failure in the light emitting diode L ofthe operation section 422, the current through the light emitting diodeL stays at 10 as indicated by a broken line of FIG. 49(c). This retainsthe output voltage (from the collector) of the phototransistor T at highlevel as indicated by a broken line of FIG. 49(d). Further, as indicatedby a broken line of FIG. 49(e), the Q-output terminal of the first D-FFD1 stays at high level whereas the Q(bar)-output terminal of the secondD-FF D2 stays at low level as indicated by a broken line of FIG. 49(f).

Accordingly, the twenty-first embodiment offers an equivalent effect tothat of the aforesaid twentieth embodiment.

(Twenty-Second Embodiment)

A twenty-second embodiment of the present invention will be describedwith reference to FIGS. 50 and 51. FIG. 50 is a fragmentary connectiondiagram of this embodiment whereas FIG. 51 is a timing chart forexplaining an operation thereof. The following description is made withreference to FIG. 45 as well.

A general arrangement of a communications apparatus of this embodimentis essentially the same as that of the aforesaid twenty-first embodiment(see FIG. 47), except that a retaining circuit unit of this embodimenthas a different configuration from the retaining circuit unit 423 ofFIG. 47 as follows.

As shown in FIG. 50, the retaining circuit unit 423 of a switch assemblyof this embodiment comprises the first and the second D-FFs D1, D2; afirst and a second AND gates A1, A2; and a constant-voltage circuit 427,an input terminal of which is connected to the positive +V bus line B1.Two input terminals of the first AND gate A1 are connected to thecollector of the phototransistor T and to the anode of the lightemitting diode L, respectively. Two input terminals of the second ANDgate A2 are both connected to the output terminal Do of the PWM outputcircuit 407 in the communications contact 421. An output terminal of thefirst AND gate A1 is connected to the D-input terminal of the first D-FFD1 whereas an output terminal of the second AND gate A2 is connected tothe clock terminal CK of the first D-FF D1. The clock terminal CK of thesecond D-FF D2 is connected to the output terminal Do of the PWM outputcircuit 407 in the communications contact 421.

The set terminal S and reset terminal R of the first D-FF D1 and thereset terminal R of the second D-FF D2 are connected to the outputterminal of the constant-voltage circuit 427. The second D-FF D2 has theset terminal S connected to the Q(bar)-output terminal of the first D-FFD1, and the Q(bar)-output terminal thereof connected to the inputterminal Din of the input I/F 405 in the communications contact 421. Thecathode of the light emitting diode L is connected to the outputterminal Do of the PWM output circuit 407 whereas the emitter of thephototransistor T is connected to the bus line B2.

Next, operations of the operation section 422 and the retaining circuitunit 423 of the twenty-second embodiment are described with reference tothe timing chart of FIG. 51.

As indicated by FIG. 51(b), the PWM output circuit 407 (see FIG. 47) ofthe communications contact 421 outputs a low PWM pulse signal based on agiven period. In synchronism with the low PWM pulse signal, the currentof I1 flows through the light emitting diode L of the operation section422, as indicated by FIG. 51(c). When the PWM pulse signal is at highlevel, the current of I0 (<I1) flows through the light emitting diode L.

When the photointerruptor is in the light-shielding state (ON), the pushbutton is depressed to be returned to its initial state. When thephotointerruptor is switched to the light-emitting state (OFF) asindicated by FIG. 51(a), the light-shielding member B moves to allow thelight from the light emitting diode L to enter the phototransistor T sothat the phototransistor T is switched ON with a little time delay fromthe light ingress. Thus, as indicated by FIG. 51(d), the level of theoutput voltage (from the collector) of the phototransistor T becomeslow.

The current flow through the light emitting diode L of the operationsection 422 changes the voltage at the anode of the light emitting diodeL to low level, as indicated by FIG. 51(e). In response to the outputvoltage from the phototransistor T and the voltage present on the anodeof the light emitting diode L which are changed to low level, the outputvoltage from the first AND gate A1 is changed to low level, as indicatedby FIG. 51(f).

At this time, the current of 11 flows through the light emitting diode Lso as to input a signal to the clock terminals CK of both the D-FFs D1,D2. Thus, the Q(bar)-output terminal of the first D-FF D1 stays at highlevel as indicated by FIG. 51(g) whereas the Q(bar)-output terminal ofthe second D-FF D2 is reversed to high level as indicated by FIG. 51(h).

Subsequently when the light-shielding member B blocks the light from thelight emitting diode L in conjunction with the depression of theoperation section 422, the photointerruptor is switched to thelight-shielding state (ON) so as to change the output from the first ANDgate A1 to high level, as indicated by FIG. 51(f). Thus, theQ(bar)-output terminal of the second D-FF D2 is reversed to low level,as indicated by FIG. 51(h).

In the event of a disconnection failure in the light emitting diode L ofthe operation section 422, the current through the light emitting diodeL stays at 10 as indicated by a broken line of FIG. 51(c). Thismaintains at high level both the output voltage (from the collector)from the phototransistor T and the voltage at the anode of the lightemitting diode L, as indicated by broken lines of FIGS. 51(d) and (e).The output voltage from the first AND gate A1 also stays at high levelas indicated by FIG. 51(f). Thus, the Q(bar)-output terminal of thefirst D-FF D1 stays at low level as indicated by a broken line of FIG.51(g) whereas the Q(bar)-output terminal of the second D-FF D2 stays athigh level as indicated by a broken line of FIG. 51(h).

Accordingly, the twenty-second embodiment offers an equivalent effect tothat of the aforesaid twenty-first embodiment.

(Twenty-Third Embodiment)

A twenty-third embodiment of the present invention will be describedwith reference to a connection block diagram of FIG. 52.

As shown in FIG. 52, the communications apparatus 420 of this embodimentdiffers from that of the twenty-first embodiment in that the retainingcircuit unit 423 of FIG. 47 is incorporated in the integratedcommunication circuit constituting the communications contact 421. Inthis case, the incorporated retaining circuit unit 423 includes theinput I/F 405. The aforesaid coil 406 is interposed between the positive+V bus line B1 and the positive supply terminal Vin of thecommunications contact 421, the resistance R7 and the resistance R8.

Accordingly, the twenty-third embodiment offers an equivalent effect tothat of the twenty-first embodiment while accomplishing a moresimplified configuration by incorporating the retaining circuit unit 423into the communications contact 421.

(Twenty-Fourth Embodiment)

A twenty-fourth embodiment of the present invention will be describedwith reference to FIGS. 53 and 54. FIG. 53 is a schematic diagramshowing a part of a configuration of this embodiment, and FIG. 54 is afragmentary connection block diagram of FIG. 53.

As seen in FIG. 53, an operation section 431 of this embodimentcomprises a Hall IC 432 comprising a Hall element, and a magnet 433having the number of lines of magnetic flux varied in conjunction withthe depression of the push button, the lines of magnetic fluxintersecting the Hall element. It is noted that the other parts of thecommunications apparatus may be arranged the same way as in any of thetwentieth to twenty-third embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 54, the Hall IC 432 comprises a Hall element 432 a, asupply/temperature compensating circuit 432 b, an amplifier 432 c foramplifying an output voltage from the Hall element 432 a, a Schmidttrigger circuit 432 d supplied with an output signal from the amplifier432 c, and an outputting NPN transistor 432 e, a collector of which isconnected to the input terminal Din of the input I/F 405 (see, forexample, FIG. 43).

Similarly to the twentieth embodiment, the twenty-fourth embodimentaccomplishes the extended service life and decreased power consumptionof the operation section 431 as compared with the conventionalcontact-making configuration.

(Twenty-Fifth Embodiment)

A twenty-fifth embodiment of the present invention will be describedwith reference to FIG. 55, which is a a fragmentary schematic diagramshowing a configuration thereof.

As shown in FIG. 55, an operation section 441 of this embodimentcomprises a magnetic resistance element 442, a magnet 443 with thenumber of lines of magnetic flux varied in conjunction with thedepression of the push button, the lines of magnetic flux intersectingthe magnetic resistance element 442, and an outputting NPN transistor444, a collector of which is connected to the input terminal Din of theinput I/F 405 (see, for example, FIG. 43). It is noted that the otherparts of the switch means may be arranged the same way as in any of thetwentieth to twenty-third embodiments.

Similarly to the twentieth embodiment, the twenty-fifth embodimentaccomplishes the extended service life and decreased power consumptionof the operation section 441 as compared with the conventionalcontact-making configuration.

(Twenty-Sixth Embodiment)

A twenty-sixth embodiment of the present invention will be describedwith reference to FIGS. 56 and 57. FIG. 56 is a connection diagram andFIG. 57 is a graph representing a relationship between a bias voltageand a capacitance for explaining an operation.

This embodiment employs two Zener diodes 453, 453, as a surge protectioncircuit adapted to absorb surge noises, which are connected in seriesbetween transmission terminals INP, INM of a high input impedancecommunication circuit 452 incorporated in a communications contact 451constituting the communications apparatus connected to the positive +Vbus line B1 and the reference 0V bus line B2. The communications contact451 comprises an integrated communication circuit.

Here, the relationship between the inter-terminal capacitance Cz and thebias voltage V of the Zener diode fabricated by the diffusion orepitaxial method is expressed as:Cz≈ks(aε/V)^(1/3)  (1)where ‘a’ denotes a impurities concentration gradient of a PN junction;‘ε’ denotes a dielectric constant of silicone in a depletion layer ofthe PN junction; ‘s’ denotes a junction area of the PN junction; and ‘k’denotes a proportionality factor.

A Zener voltage equal to that given by a singly used Zener diode (e.g.,40V) can be obtained by connecting two Zener diodes having ½ of theabove voltage (e.g., 20V) in series. Thus, each Zener diode may have aZener voltage decreased to ½ and hence, the impurities concentrationgradient ‘a’ in the above expression (1) is double increased while thebias voltage is decreased to ½.

Provided that each of the two Zener diodes has a PN junction area equalto that of the Zener diode singly used, the total capacitance Czs of thetwo Zener diodes connected in series is expressed by the followingexpression derived from the expression (1):Czs=(½)ks{(2a)ε/(V/2)}^(1/3)=(½)ks(4aε/V)^(1/3)  (2)Calculating Czs/Cz using the above expressions (1), (2) givesCzs/Cz=0.7937  (3)

As apparent from the above expression (3), the inter-terminalcapacitance of the two Zener diodes connected in series can be decreasedfrom the case of the Zener diode singly used. As to the rated power, ifa each of the Zener diodes has the same rated power as the Zener diodesingly used (e.g., 1W Zener diode of 40V), the total rated power of thetwo Zener diodes connected in series is double increased (two 1W Zenerdiodes of 20V: 1W+1W=2W) and therefore, a required surge resistance canbe attained.

The same rated power as that of the singly used Zener diode (e.g., 1W)can be obtained by connecting two Zener diodes in series, each of whichhas a rated power ½ the rated power of the former Zener diode.Therefore, the overall capacitance may be further decreased by employingtwo ½W Zener diodes, as understood from the above expressions (1) to(3).

Measurement was taken on a Zener diode singly used and two Zener diodesconnected in series, each diode having the same characteristics, therebydetermining a respective relationship between the bias voltage and thecapacitance. The results are shown in FIG. 57, in which a solid linerepresents the two Zener diodes connected in series and a broken linerepresents the Zener diode singly used. The smaller the bias voltage,the greater the effect.

According to the twenty-sixth embodiment, the capacitance of the PNjunction of the two Zener diodes 453 connected in series is smaller thanthat of the Zener diode singly used so that the communications apparatusmay be decreased in capacitance as maintaining an adequate surgeresistance. Hence, the communications apparatus is adapted to providefast communications of communication signals comprised of voltagesignals across the bus-system network. This results in a dramaticincrease in the number of communications apparatuses to be connected tothe bus-system network as compared with the connection of theconventional apparatuses.

In the twenty-sixth embodiment, the number of Zener diodes 453 connectedin series is not limited to 2 but three or more Zener diodes may beconnected. The number of diodes connected in series may be decided basedon a relation between a surge voltage to be absorbed and a capacitanceof the connected diodes in series.

The surge absorbing element used for this purpose is not limited to theaforesaid Zener diode and other elements are usable.

As a matter of course, the communications contact 451 of thetwenty-sixth embodiment is not limited to that shown in FIGS. 44 and 45which comprises the operation section including the photointerruptor andthe light-shielding member B.

(Twenty-Seventh Embodiment)

A twenty-seventh embodiment of the present invention will be describedwith reference to FIGS. 58 to 62. FIG. 58 is a side view of theembodiment; FIG. 59 an oblique perspective view of the embodiment in oneuse; FIG. 60 a plan view of the embodiment in another use; FIG. 61 anoblique perspective view of the embodiment in yet another use; and FIG.62 a plan view of the embodiment in still another use.

This embodiment has the following arrangement, for example. Theoperation section is comprised of the push button and the push-buttonbody in detachably combined relation. A contact case 461 (see FIG. 58),as a main body of the communications apparatus, contains therein thecommunications contact forming the switch assembly jointly with theoperation section, as well as other circuit components or the like. Thecontact case 461 is detachably mounted to the above push-button body. Inthis case, as shown in FIG. 58, an open magnetic circuit type coil 462is disposed in the contact case 461 at place shifted from a line throughthe center (symbol ‘+’ in FIG. 58) thereof.

In this case, all the communications apparatuses are connected inparallel to the bus-system network and hence, all the signals inputtedto the individual coils 462 of the communications apparatuses are inphase with one another. Accordingly, if all the coils 462 are uniform inpolarity (each having a starting point and an end point of coil turns inalignment), the AC signal or the DC bias current through the respectivecoils of the communications apparatuses can generate AC magnetic fluxesor DC magnetic fluxes in the same direction and at the same timing.

According to this embodiment wherein a plurality of contact cases 461are collectively disposed, when the respective coils 462 of the contactcases 461 generate the magnetic fluxes in the same direction, thecontact cases 461 are arranged in a manner to align the respective coils462 thereof on the same line, as shown in FIGS. 59 and 60. On the otherhand, when the respective coils 462 of adjoining contact cases 461generate the magnetic fluxes in the opposite directions, the contactcases 461 are arranged in a manner to place the respective coils 462thereof out of alignment, as shown in FIGS. 61 and 62.

It is preferred to form the contact case 461 in an asymmetrical shapesuch that the direction of the magnetic flux generated by the coil 462may be determined from the shape of the contact case 461.

Such a design has the following merit. Where plural communicationsapparatuses constituting the bus-system network are collectivelydisposed in a manner to align the respective coils 462 thereofsubstantially on the same line (see FIGS. 59 and 60), the magneticfluxes generated by the coils are in the same direction so that the ACor DC magnetic fluxes are in superimposition. Thus, inductance due tothe AC component is increased while the DC magnetic fluxes from the DCbias current are also superimposed, resulting in an increased number oflines of DC magnetic flux.

Accordingly, when the coils 462 are disposed in adjoining relation (in adense cluster), the number of lines of DC magnetic flux from each of thecoils is increased than when a single coil is disposed. Therefore, itcan be considered that an additional DC bias current α generating(φ2−φ1) magnetic flux flows through each of the coils 462 as comparedwith a case of an apparently single coil 462 disposed, provided that φ1denotes the number of lines of DC magnetic flux from a coil disposedalone, and φ2 denotes the number of lines of DC magnetic flux from eachof the coils disposed in a dense cluster.

Where the coils 462 are disposed in adjoining relation (in a densecluster), it can be considered that more DC bias current flows througheach of the coils than in a normal arrangement where a coil is singlydisposed. Accordingly, it is thought that current saturation occursearlier to reduce the inductance due to the DC component than where acoil is singly disposed. Therefore, when the coils 462 are aligned onthe same line, it is necessary to select a coil of a good saturationcharacteristic which is less liable to be decreased in inductance by theDC component even if a DC bias current greater by a factor of (1+α)flows therethrough.

The AC signal has a much smaller value than the DC bias current andhence, AC magnetic flux in superimposition results in a minor increase.Therefore, the coil less liable to be saturated by the DC bias currenthas no fear of being saturated by the AC component.

On the other hand, where the coils 462 are disposed out of alignment(see FIGS. 61, 62), the magnetic fluxes (AC, DC) from the respectivecoils 462 are directed to cancel each other. The DC magnetic fluxesdirected to cancel each other act to suppress the saturation whereas theAC magnetic fluxes directed to cancel each other act to decrease theinductance. Where the coils are disposed with the magnetic fluxesthereof directed to cancel each other, a causative factor of decreasingthe inductance is only interference from the AC magnetic fluxes.However, since the respective coils 462 are disposed out of alignment,as shown in FIGS. 61, 62, the respective coils 462 are spaced from eachother so that interference between the generated AC magnetic fluxes maybe reduced. Thus, the inductance due to the AC component is preventedfrom being decreased.

Accordingly, the twenty-seventh embodiment prevents the decrease ofimpedance of the communications apparatus, thereby permitting thecommunications apparatus to communicate voltage signals in the correctwaveforms, the voltage signals traveling among the plural communicationsapparatuses on the bus-system network. Thus, the embodiment accomplishesa significant increase in the number of communications apparatusesconnectable with the bus-system network, as compared with theconventional approach.

It is noted that the twenty-seventh embodiment does not limit theconfiguration of the coil 462 and the shape of the contact case 461 tothe above.

As a matter of course, the communications contact of the twenty-seventhembodiment is not limited to that of FIGS. 44, 45 which comprises theoperation section including the photointerruptor and the light-shieldingmember.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As mentioned supra, the electrical component according to the presentinvention is capable of compactly combining a plurality of functioningmembers of different functions such as the direct functioning member,the information input/output functioning member and the like, therebycontributing to the reduction of installation space. In addition, theinventive electrical component ensures that the plural functioningmembers of different functions, such as the direct functioning member,the information input/output functioning member and the like, arepositively driven by one or more driving units.

The emergency stop system according to the present invention is capableof transmitting an operation given by the operator to a target deviceeven if the controller of the network is inoperative due to failure.Particularly, the inventive system is adapted to shut off the power tothe target device in an urgent condition such as emergency stop. Thus,the emergency stop system features an improved safety.

In the communications apparatus according to the present invention, theoperation section of the switch means has the contactless switchingcontact configuration. As compared with the conventional contact-makingconfiguration, the inventive configuration extends the service life ofthe operation section, negates the need for high current therethrough,and decreases the power consumption.

1. An electrical component comprising: a combination of a plurality offunctioning members of different functions which each perform apredetermined input and/or output operation; a single driving memberdirectly connecting with said combination of functioning members,wherein said functioning members are each driven by said driving member,and wherein said functioning members include at least one functioningmember connecting to bus lines located outside of said electricalcomponent and receiving power from said bus lines to input and to and/oroutput from said bus lines with an information signal.
 2. The electricalcomponent as claimed in claim 1, wherein said functioning membersinclude at least a direct functioning member providing an output forswitching between a conductive state and a nonconductive state, and aninformation input/output functioning member for inputting and/oroutputting an information signal.
 3. The electrical component as claimedin claim 1, wherein said driving member includes an operationtransmitting member receiving an operation given by an operator andtransmitting the received operation, and wherein said functioningmembers are each connected to said operation transmitting member forreceiving the operation transmitted from said operation transmittingmember.
 4. The electrical component as claimed in claim 3, wherein saidfunctioning members include at least: a direct functioning memberproviding an output for switching between a conductive state and anon-conductive state according to the operation transmitted from saidoperation transmitting member, and an information input/outputfunctioning member for inputting and/or outputting an information signalcorresponding to the operation transmitted from said operationtransmitting member.
 5. The electrical component as claimed in claim 3,wherein said functioning members include at least: a direct functioningmember providing an output for switching between a conductive state anda nonconductive state according to the operation transmitted from saidoperation transmitting member, and an information input/outputfunctioning member for inputting and/or outputting an information signalcorresponding to a received input.
 6. The electrical component asclaimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein said operation transmitting memberincludes: an operation receiving member for receiving the operationgiven by the operator, and an adaptor member including an operationreceiving-member dedicated connection portion for connection with saidoperation receiving member, and a functioning-member dedicatedconnection portion having a standardized configuration for connectingsaid functioning member.
 7. The electrical component as claimed in claim4 or 5, wherein said operation transmitting member includes: anoperation member directly receiving the operation given by the operator,and an operation connection member including a functioning-memberdedicated connection portion having a standardized configuration forconnecting said functioning member, and wherein said operation memberand said operation connection member are combined by means of anoperation-adaptor member.
 8. The electrical component as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said driving member includes an operation transmittingmember receiving an operation given by an operator and transmitting thereceived operation, wherein said operation transmitting memberincorporates therein at least either one of a direct functioning member,as said functioning member, providing an output for switching between aconductive state and a non-conductive state according to the operationtransmitted from said operation transmitting member, and an informationinput/output functioning member, as said functioning member, forinputting and/or outputting an information signal corresponding to theoperation transmitted from said operation transmitting member, whereinat least either one of said information input/output functioning memberand said direct functioning member is designed to be connectable, andwherein either said direct functioning member or said informationinput/output functioning member that is incorporated in said operationtransmitting member, and either said information input/outputfunctioning member or said direct functioning member that is connectedwith said operation transmitting member are both designed to function inresponse to said operation.
 9. The electrical component as claimed inclaim 8, wherein said operation transmitting member includes: anoperation receiving member for receiving an operation given by anoperator, and an adaptor member including an operation receiving-memberdedicated connection portion for connection with said operationreceiving member, and a functioning-member dedicated connection portionhaving a standardized configuration for connecting said functioningmember, and wherein either said direct functioning member or saidinformation input/output functioning member that is incorporated in saidoperation transmitting member is incorporated in said adaptor member.10. The electrical component as claimed in any one of claims 2, 4, 5, 8,and 9, wherein said direct functioning member or said informationinput/output functioning member includes a lighting component.
 11. Theelectrical component as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 5, 8 and 9,wherein said operation transmitting member or said adaptor memberincludes a lighting component.
 12. The electrical component as claimedin any one of claims 3 to 5, 8 and 9, wherein said operationtransmitting member is designed to be connectable with the functioningmember including a lighting component performing a lighting operationunder control of a control unit.
 13. The electrical component as claimedin any one of claims 3 to 5, 8 and 9, wherein said operationtransmitting member is designed to be connectable with said functioningmember including a lighting component performing a lighting operationunder control of a control unit, and wherein said functioning memberwith said lighting component and said information input/outputfunctioning member are designed to be in direct electrical connectionwith each other.
 14. The electrical component as claimed in claim 10,wherein said lighting component is of a power saving, high luminancetype.
 15. The electrical component as claimed in any one of claims 3, 4,5, 8 and 9, wherein said operation transmitting member is connectablewith an intermediary member for providing said functioning member withan operation output corresponding to the operation given to theoperation transmitting member.
 16. The electrical component as claimedin claim 8 or 9, wherein said adaptor member is designed to permit theconnection of an intermediary member with said functioning-memberdedicated connection portion, the intermediary member providing saidfunctioning member with an operation output corresponding to theoperation given to said operation transmitting member.
 17. Theelectrical component as claimed in claim 4, wherein said operationtransmitting member includes a plurality of connection portionspermitting said direct functioning member and said informationinput/output functioning member to be concurrently connected therewith.18. The electrical component as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein saiddirect functioning member to be connected with said operationtransmitting member includes an operation-transmitting-member dedicatedconnection portion for connection with said operation transmittingmember, and wherein said information input/output functioning memberincludes an operation-transmitting-member dedicated connection portionwhich is compatible with said operation-transmitting-member dedicatedconnection portion of said direct functioning member.
 19. The electricalcomponent as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein said informationinput/output functioning member to be connected with said operationtransmitting member includes an operation-transmitting-member dedicatedconnection portion for connection with said operation transmittingmember, and wherein said direct functioning member includes anoperation-transmitting-member dedicated connection portion which iscompatible with said operation transmitting-member dedicated connectionportion of said information input/output functioning member.
 20. Theelectrical component as claimed in claim 15, wherein said functioningmember is designed to receive an operation outputted from saidintermediary member.
 21. The electrical component as claimed in claim15, wherein said intermediary member changes an operating direction ofthe operation received from said operation transmitting member and thenoutputs the resultant operation to said functioning member.
 22. Theelectrical component as claimed in claim 15, wherein said intermediarymember provides said functioning member with the operation received fromsaid operation transmitting member, as maintaining the operatingdirection thereof as it is.
 23. The electrical component as claimed inclaim 3, wherein said operation transmitting member and said functioningmembers are formed in one piece.
 24. The electrical component as claimedin claim 4 or 5, wherein said operation transmitting member includes: anoperation receiving member for receiving the operation given by theoperator, an adaptor member having an operation receiving-memberdedicated connection portion for connection with said operationreceiving member, and a functioning member dedicated connection portionfor connecting said functioning member, and a functioning member havingan adaptor-member dedicated connection portion to be connected with saidfunctioning-member dedicated connection portion of said adaptor member.25. The electrical component as claimed in claim 24, wherein saidadaptor member has a plurality of functioning-member dedicatedconnection portions, thus designed to permit a part of or the all ofsaid functioning members to be concurrently connected therewith.
 26. Theelectrical component as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein said operationtransmitting member includes: an operation receiving member having aplurality of adaptor-member dedicated connection portions and receivingthe operation given by the operator, and an adaptor member having afunctioning-member-dedicated connection portion for connecting saidfunctioning member and designed to be connectable with a part of or theall of said adaptor-member dedicated connection portions at a time. 27.The electrical component as claimed in claim 24, wherein saidfunctioning member includes a functioning-member dedicated connectionportion for connecting any one of the other functioning members.
 28. Theelectrical component as claimed in claim 9, wherein said adaptor memberincorporates therein any one of said functioning members except for saidfunctioning member connected therewith.
 29. The electrical component asclaimed in claim 28, wherein said adaptor member incorporates therein alighting component.
 30. The electrical component as claimed in claim 29,wherein said lighting component is of a power saving, high luminancetype.
 31. The electrical component as claimed in claim 30, wherein saidadaptor member changes an operation stroke and/or an operation positionreceived by said operation receiving member and then provides theresultant operation to said functioning member.
 32. The electricalcomponent as claimed in claim 31, wherein saidoperation-receiving-member dedicated connection portion of said adaptormember includes: a base member fixed to the operation receiving member,and a fixing member for fixing a main body of the adaptor member to saidbase member.
 33. The electrical component as claimed in claim 16,wherein said adaptor member includes an intermediary-member dedicatedconnection portion for connecting the intermediary member for providingsaid functioning member with an operation output corresponding to theoperation given to said adaptor member, and wherein saidintermediary-member dedicated connection portion has a standardizedconfiguration with respect to said operation-receiving-member dedicatedconnection portion and said functioning-member dedicated connectionportion.
 34. The electrical component as claimed in claim 4 or 5,wherein said operation transmitting member includes: an operation memberdirectly receiving the operation given by the operator, anoperation-adaptor member having an operation-member dedicated connectionportion for connection with said operation member and anoperation-connection-member dedicated connection portion, and anoperation connection member having an operation-adaptor-member dedicatedconnection portion for connecting said operation-adaptor member and afunctioning-member dedicated connection portion having a standardizedconfiguration for connecting said functioning member, and beingconnected with the operation-connection-member dedicated connectionportion.
 35. The electrical component as claimed in claim 34, whereinsaid operation-adaptor member changes an operation stroke and/or anoperation position received by said operation member and then providesthe resultant operation to said functioning member.
 36. The electricalcomponent as claimed in claim 2, wherein said functioning memberincludes a lighting component having a front-member dedicated connectionportion for connection with a front member for indication and performingalighting operation via said front member, and wherein said front-memberdedicated connection potion has a configuration compatible with that ofsaid direct functioning member or said information input/outputfunctioning member.
 37. The electrical component as claimed in claim 23,wherein each of said functioning members is contained in a casing,wherein said operation transmitting member is mounted to said casing asallowed to transmit the operation given by the operator, and whereinsaid operation transmitting member and each of said functioning membersare integrated into a unit block.
 38. The electrical component asclaimed in claim 23, wherein said functioning members include a directfunctioning member-providing an output for switching between aconductive state and a non-conductive state, and an informationinput/output functioning member for inputting and/or outputting aninformation signal, wherein said direct functioning member and saidinformation input/output functioning member are respectively containedin two sub-casings in detachably connected relation, wherein saidoperation transmitting member is mounted to either one of saidsub-casings as allowed to transmit the operation given by the operator,and wherein said operation transmitting member and said functioningmember are unified.
 39. The electrical component as claimed in claim 38,wherein said sub-casings are each designed to take the-form of aconnector detachably connected with the other.
 40. The electricalcomponent as claimed in claim 38 or 39, wherein a communications contactas said information input/output functioning member has a plurality ofoutput ports for providing control to output devices including thelighting component and the like, and wherein the same output is assignedto two or more of said plural output ports.
 41. An emergency stop systememploying the electrical component as claimed in any one of claims 2 to5, the emergency stop system comprising an emergency control unitresponding to the information signal from said information input/outputfunctioning member by providing control as to whether a control targetis brought into an emergency stop or not, wherein said informationinput/output functioning member is connected to said emergency controlunit whereas said direct functioning member is connected to said controltarget, and wherein said direct functioning member brings said controltarget into an emergency stop according to the operation given to saidelectrical component by the operator whereas said emergency control unitbrings said control target into an emergency stop according to theinformation signal inputted to and/or outputted from said informationinput/output functioning member.
 42. A communications apparatus for usein a bus-system network employing the electrical component as claimed inany one of claims 1 to 5 and communicating a communication signal ofvoltage signal via two bus lines, the apparatus comprising acommunications contact having a communication function, and switch meansincluding an operation section for inputting the signal to thecommunications contact, wherein said operation section has a contactlessswitching contact configuration.
 43. The communications apparatus asclaimed in claim 42, wherein said operation section comprises a photointerrupter including a light emitting device and a photo acceptanceunit, and a light-shielding member to block light emitted from saidlight emitting device to said photo acceptance unit in conjunction witha depressing operation.
 44. The communications apparatus as claimed inclaim 42, wherein said operation section comprises a Hall element and amagnet having the number of lines of magnetic flux varied in conjunctionwith the depressing operation, the lines of magnetic flux intersectingsaid Hall element.
 45. The communications apparatus as claimed in claim42, wherein said operation section comprises a magnetic resistanceelement and a magnet having the number of lines of magnetic flux variedin conjunction with the depressing operation, the lines of magnetic fluxintersecting said magnetic resistance element.
 46. The communicationsapparatus as claimed in claim 43, comprising a current control portionwhich responds to a movement of said light-shielding member bycontrolling a carrying current into said light emitting device to a setvalue for a fixed period of time starting from the time when the lightfrom said light emitting device enters said photo acceptance unit, and aretaining section which responds to a movement of said light-shieldingmember by retaining a level of the input signal to said communicationscontact for a period of time between the time when the light from saidlight emitting device enters said photo acceptance unit and the timewhen the light from said light emitting device is blocked.
 47. Thecommunications apparatus as claimed in claim 42, comprising a pluralityof surge absorbing elements arranged in series between two transmissionterminals of said communications contact which are connected to said twobus lines.
 48. A communications apparatus for use in a bus-systemnetwork employing the electrical component as claimed in any one ofclaims 1 to 5 and communicating a communication signal of voltage signalvia two bus lines, the apparatus comprising switch means including acommunications contact having a communication function and an operationsection for inputting the signal to the communications contact, and aplurality of surge absorbing elements disposed in series between twotransmission terminals of said communications contact which areconnected with said two bus lines.
 49. The communications apparatus asclaimed in claim 42, comprising a coil disposed in a main body thereof,wherein in a case where a plural number of said communications apparatusbodies are collectively arranged, said coils are located at placesshifted from a line through a substantial center of adjoining surfacesof said communications apparatus bodies.
 50. A communications apparatusfor use in a bus-system network employing the electrical component asclaimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 and communicating a communicationsignal of voltage signal via two bus lines, the apparatus comprising acoil disposed in a main body thereof, wherein in a case where a pluralnumber of said communications apparatus bodies are collectivelyarranged, said coils are located at places shifted from a line through asubstantial center of adjoining surfaces of said communicationsapparatus bodies.
 51. The communications apparatus as claimed in claim49, wherein said coils in respective ones of said apparatus bodies aresubstantially aligned on a line when said plural apparatus bodies arecollectively arranged as directing the magnetic fluxes from therespective coils therein in the same direction, whereas said coils aredisposed in respective ones of said apparatus bodies in shifted relationwith an individual adjoining coil thereto when said plural apparatusbodies are collectively arranged as directing the magnetic fluxes fromthe respective coils therein in the opposite direction to the magneticflux from an individual adjoining coil thereto.
 52. An electricalcomponent comprising: a combination of a plurality of functioningmembers of different functions which each perform a predetermined inputand/or output operation; said functioning members including at least afirst functioning member for controlling an on or off state of power anda second functioning member for inputting and outputting an informationsignal, and said functioning members including at least one functioningmember connecting to bus lines and receiving power from said bus lineslocated outside of said electrical component to input to and/or outputfrom said bus lines with the information signal; a single driving memberfor driving each of the functioning members in response to an operationthereof; and said driving member including an operation transmittingmember directly receiving the operation from an operator andtransmitting the received operation to said functioning members to drivesaid functioning members to implement their respective functions, andsaid driving member directly connecting with said combination offunctioning members.
 53. The electrical component as claimed in claim52, wherein: said first functioning member includes contact makingcontact switches for switching between a conductive state and anonconductive state according to the operation transmitted from saidoperation transmitting member, and said second functioning member inputsand outputs the information signal corresponding to the received input.54. The electrical component as claimed in claim 52, wherein saidoperation transmitting member includes: an operation receiving memberfor receiving the operation given by the operator, and an adaptor memberincluding an operation receiving-member dedicated connection portion forconnection with said operation receiving member, and afunctioning-member dedicated connection portion having a standardizedconfiguration for connecting to at least one of said functioningmembers.
 55. The electrical component as claimed in claim 52, whereinsaid operation transmitting member includes: an operation memberdirectly receiving the operation given by the operator, and an operationconnection member including a functioning-member dedicated connectionportion having a standardized configuration for connecting at least oneof said functioning members, and wherein said operation member and saidoperation connection member are combined by means of anoperation-adaptor member.
 56. The electrical component as claimed inclaim 52, wherein said operation transmitting member incorporatestherein at least one of said functioning members, and at least one ofsaid functioning members is designed to be connectable.
 57. Theelectrical component as claimed in claim 56, wherein said operationtransmitting member includes: an operation receiving member forreceiving an operation given by an operator, and an adaptor memberincluding an operation receiving-member dedicated connection portion forconnection with said operation receiving member, and afunctioning-member dedicated connection portion having a standardizedconfiguration for connecting at least one of said functioning members,and wherein said at least one functioning members that is incorporatedin said operation transmitting member is incorporated in said adaptormember.
 58. The electrical component as claimed in claim 53, wherein atleast one of said first functioning member and said second functioningmember includes a lighting component.
 59. The electrical component asclaimed in claim 57 wherein at least one of said operation transmittingmember and said adaptor member includes a lighting component.
 60. Theelectrical component as claimed in claim 53, wherein said operationtransmitting member is designed to be connectable with the functioningmember including a lighting component performing a lighting operationunder control of a control unit.
 61. The electrical component as claimedin claim 53, wherein said operation transmitting member is designed tobe connectable with said functioning member including a lightingcomponent performing a lighting operation under control of a controlunit, and wherein said functioning member with said lighting componentand said second functioning member are designed to be in directelectrical connection with each other.
 62. The electrical component asclaimed in claim 58, wherein said lighting component is of a powersaving, high luminance type.
 63. The electrical component as claimed inclaim 53, wherein said operation transmitting member is connectable withan intermediary member for providing at least one of said functioningmembers with an operation output corresponding to the operation given tothe operation transmitting member.
 64. The electrical component asclaimed in claim 57, wherein said adaptor member is designed to permitthe connection of an intermediary member with said functioning-memberdedicated connection portion, the intermediary member providing saidfunctioning member with an operation output corresponding to theoperation given to said operation transmitting member.
 65. Theelectrical component as claimed in claim 52, wherein said operationtransmitting member includes a plurality of connection portionspermitting said first functioning member and said second functioningmember to be concurrently connected therewith.
 66. The electricalcomponent as claimed in claim 52, wherein said first functioning memberto be connected with said operation transmitting member includes anoperation-transmitting-member dedicated connection portion forconnection with said operation transmitting member, and wherein saidsecond functioning member includes an operation-transmitting-memberdedicated connection portion which is compatible with saidoperation-transmitting-member dedicated connection portion of said firstfunctioning member.
 67. The electrical component as claimed in claim 52,wherein said second functioning member to be connected with saidoperation transmitting member includes an operation-transmitting-memberdedicated connection portion for connection with said operationtransmitting member, and wherein said first functioning member includesan operation-transmitting-member dedicated connection portion which iscompatible with said operation transmitting-member dedicated connectionportion of said second functioning member.
 68. The electrical componentas claimed in claim 63, wherein said at least one functioning member isdesigned to receive an operation outputted from said intermediarymember.
 69. The electrical component as claimed in claim 63, whereinsaid intermediary member changes an operating direction of the operationreceived from said operation transmitting member and then outputs theresultant operation to said at least one functioning member.
 70. Theelectrical component as claimed in claim 63, wherein said intermediarymember provides said at least one functioning member with the operationreceived from said operation transmitting member, as maintaining theoperating direction thereof as it is.
 71. The electrical component asclaimed in claim 52, wherein said operation transmitting member and saidfunctioning members are formed in one piece.
 72. The electricalcomponent as claimed in claim 52, wherein said operation transmittingmember includes: an operation receiving member for receiving theoperation given by the operator, an adaptor member having an operationreceiving-member dedicated connection portion for connection with saidoperation receiving member, and a functioning-member dedicatedconnection portion for connecting at least one of said functioningmembers, and said at least one functioning member having anadaptor-member dedicated connection portion to be connected with saidfunctioning-member dedicated connection portion of said adaptor member.73. The electrical component as claimed in claim 72, wherein saidadaptor member has a plurality of functioning-member dedicatedconnection portions, thus designed to permit a part of or the all ofsaid functioning members to be concurrently connected therewith.
 74. Theelectrical component as claimed in claim 52, wherein said operationtransmitting member includes: an operation receiving member having aplurality of adaptor-member dedicated connection portions and receivingthe operation given by the operator, and an adaptor member having afunctioning-member-dedicated connection portion for connecting at leastone of said functioning members and designed to be connectable with apart of or the all of said adaptor-member dedicated connection portionsat a time.
 75. The electrical component as claimed in claim 72, whereinsaid at least one functioning member includes a functioning-memberdedicated connection portion for connecting any one of the otherfunctioning members.
 76. The electrical component as claimed in claim57, wherein said adaptor member incorporates therein any one of saidfunctioning members except for said functioning member connectedtherewith.
 77. The electrical component as claimed in claim 76, whereinsaid adaptor member incorporates therein a lighting component.
 78. Theelectrical component as claimed in claim 77, wherein said lightingcomponent is of a power saving, high luminance type.
 79. The electricalcomponent as claimed in claim 78, wherein said adaptor member changes anoperation stroke and/or an operation position received by said operationreceiving member and then provides the resultant operation to said atleast one functioning member.
 80. The electrical component as claimed inclaim 79, wherein said operation-receiving-member dedicated connectionportion of said adaptor member includes: a base member fixed to theoperation receiving member, and a fixing member for fixing a main bodyof the adaptor member to said base member.
 81. The electrical componentas claimed in claim 64, wherein said adaptor member includes anintermediary-member dedicated connection portion for connecting theintermediary member for providing said functioning member with anoperation output corresponding to the operation given to said adaptormember, and wherein said intermediary-member dedicated connectionportion has a standardized configuration with respect to saidoperation-receiving-member dedicated connection portion and saidfunctioning-member dedicated connection portion.
 82. The electricalcomponent as claimed in claim 52, wherein said operation transmittingmember includes: an operation member directly receiving the operationgiven by the operator, an operation-adaptor member having anoperation-member dedicated connection portion for connection with saidoperation member and an operation-connection-member dedicated connectionportion, and an operation connection member having anoperation-adaptor-member dedicated connection portion for connectingsaid operation-adaptor member and a functioning-member dedicatedconnection portion having a standardized configuration for connecting atleast one of said functioning members, and being connected with theoperation-connection-member dedicated connection portion.
 83. Theelectrical component as claimed in claim 82, wherein saidoperation-adaptor member changes an operation stroke and/or an operationposition received by said operation member and then provides theresultant operation to said at least one functioning member.
 84. Theelectrical component as claimed in claim 52, wherein said plurality offunctioning members include a lighting component having a front-memberdedicated connection portion for connection with a front member forindication and performing alighting operation via said front member, andwherein said front-member dedicated connection potion has aconfiguration compatible with that of said first functioning member orsaid second functioning member.
 85. The electrical component as claimedin claim 71, wherein each of said functioning members is contained in acasing, wherein said operation transmitting member is mounted to saidcasing as allowed to transmit the operation given by the operator, andwherein said operation transmitting member and each of said functioningmembers are integrated into a unit block.
 86. The electrical componentas claimed in claim 71, wherein said first functioning member and saidsecond functioning member are respectively contained in two sub-casingsin detachably connected relation, wherein said operation transmittingmember is mounted to either one of said sub-casings as allowed totransmit the operation given by the operator, and wherein said operationtransmitting member and said functioning member are unified.
 87. Theelectrical component as claimed in claim 86, wherein said sub-casingsare each designed to take the-form of a connector detachably connectedwith the other.
 88. The electrical component as claimed in claim 86,wherein a communications contact as said second functioning member has aplurality of output ports for providing control to output devicesincluding a lighting component, and wherein the same output is assignedto two or more of said plural output ports.
 89. An emergency stop systememploying the electrical component as claimed in claim 52, the emergencystop system comprising an emergency control unit responding to theinformation signal from said second functioning member by providingcontrol as to whether a control target is brought into an emergency stopor not, wherein said second functioning member is connected to saidemergency control unit whereas said first functioning member isconnected to said control target, and wherein said first functioningmember brings said control target into an emergency stop according tothe operation given to said electrical component by the operator whereassaid emergency control unit brings said control target into an emergencystop according to the information signal inputted to and outputted fromsaid second functioning member.
 90. A communications apparatus for usein a bus-system network employing the electrical component as claimed inclaim 52 and communicating a communication signal of voltage signal viatwo bus lines, the apparatus comprising a communications contact havinga communication function, and switch means including an operationsection for inputting the signal to the communications contact, whereinsaid operation section has a contactless switching contactconfiguration.
 91. The communications apparatus as claimed in claim 90,wherein said operation section comprises a photo interrupter including alight emitting device and a photo acceptance unit, and a light-shieldingmember to block light emitted from said light emitting device to saidphoto acceptance unit in conjunction with a depressing operation. 92.The communications apparatus as claimed in claim 90, wherein saidoperation section comprises a Hall element and a magnet having thenumber of lines of magnetic flux varied in conjunction with thedepressing operation, the lines of magnetic flux intersecting said Hallelement.
 93. The communications apparatus as claimed in claim 90,wherein said operation section comprises a magnetic resistance elementand a magnet having the number of lines of magnetic flux varied inconjunction with the depressing operation, the lines of magnetic fluxintersecting said magnetic resistance element.
 94. The communicationsapparatus as claimed in claim 91, comprising a current control portionwhich responds to a movement of said light-shielding member bycontrolling a carrying current into said light emitting device to a setvalue for a fixed period of time starting from the time when the lightfrom said light emitting device enters said photo acceptance unit, and aretaining section which responds to a movement of said light-shieldingmember by retaining a level of the input signal to said communicationscontact for a period of time between the time when the light from saidlight emitting device enters said photo acceptance unit and the timewhen the light from said light emitting device is blocked.
 95. Thecommunications apparatus as claimed in claim 90, comprising a pluralityof surge absorbing elements arranged in series between two transmissionterminals of said communications contact which are connected to said twobus lines.
 96. A communications apparatus for use in a bus-systemnetwork employing the electrical component as claimed in claim 52 andcommunicating a communication signal of voltage signal via two buslines, the apparatus comprising switch means including a communicationscontact having a communication function and an operation section forinputting the signal to the communications contact, and a plurality ofsurge absorbing elements disposed in series between two transmissionterminals of said communications contact which are connected with saidtwo bus lines.
 97. The communications apparatus as claimed in claim 90,comprising a coil disposed in a main body thereof, wherein in a casewhere a plural number of said communications apparatus bodies arecollectively arranged, said coils are located at places shifted from aline through a substantial center of adjoining surfaces of saidcommunications apparatus bodies.
 98. A communications apparatus for usein a bus-system network employing the electrical component as claimed inclaim 52 and communicating a communication signal of voltage signal viatwo bus lines, the apparatus comprising a coil disposed in a main bodythereof, wherein in a case where a plural number of said communicationsapparatus bodies are collectively arranged, said coils are located atplaces shifted from a line through a substantial center of adjoiningsurfaces of said communications apparatus bodies.
 99. The communicationsapparatus as claimed in claim 97, wherein said coils in respective onesof said apparatus bodies are substantially aligned on a line when saidplural apparatus bodies are collectively arranged as directing themagnetic fluxes from the respective coils therein in the same direction,whereas said coils are disposed in respective ones of said apparatusbodies in shifted relation with an individual adjoining coil theretowhen said plural apparatus bodies are collectively arranged as directingthe magnetic fluxes from the respective coils therein in the oppositedirection to the magnetic flux from an individual adjoining coilthereto.
 100. The communications apparatus as claimed in claim 90,further comprising said communications contact including a pulse widthmodulation circuit for controlling said operation section.
 101. Thecommunications apparatus as claimed in claim 90, further comprising saidapparatus including a retaining circuit responding to the operationsection.
 102. The communications apparatus as claimed in claim 90,further comprising said retaining circuit including at lest two flipflop circuits.
 103. The communications apparatus as claimed in claim 90,further comprising said apparatus including at least two Zener diodesfor surge protection.
 104. Electromechanical switch assembly comprising:a push-button section, comprising: a casing; a push-button, capable ofalternatively moving forwards from a first position to a second positionand backwards from said second position to said first position, in adirection normal to a pressing surface of said push-button, uponapplication of a pressing force thereto and release of said pressingforce, respectively, said push-button having a spring internal theretofor restoring said push-button to said first position upon release ofsaid pressing force; and an operating shaft, having a cylindrical shape,with a plurality of longitudinal projections spaced around an outerperiphery of one end thereof and having a recess with a hollow interiorat said end thereof; a push-button body, having an aperture therein forreceiving said push-button section, in detachable attachment therewith,and having three contact-dedicated connectors thereon; a light-emittingdiode (LED) box, connected to said push-button body, said LED boxcomprising: an LED capable of engaging with said recess on saidoperating shaft, to transmit to said LED box said operation administeredto said push-button, and a circuit for receiving a control signal from abus line; a communications contact, connected to said push-button body,for outputting an information signal in response to said operation givento said push-button, said communications contact comprising: a switchsection, comprising: a switching projection, for receiving saidoperation given to said push-button section by contactingly receivingand being actuated by a corresponding one of said projections on saidoperating shaft, when said operating shaft is longitudinally moved intoengagement therewith, thereby outputting a mechanical signal; and abipositional switch, capable of being actuated and having its statechanged by said mechanical signal, thereby changing a state of saidcommunications contact; an interface section, connected to said switchsection, for accepting said mechanical signal from said switch section,converting said mechanical signal to a digital signal, and foroutputting said digital signal; a communication section, for receivingsaid digital signal from said interface section, for generating acommunication signal conforming to a predetermined communicationsprotocol, and for transmitting said communication signal to a networkvia a communications cable; and a contact-making contact, connected tosaid push-button body, for providing an electrical output for switchingbetween a conductive state and a non-conductive state in response tosaid operation given to said push button, said contact-making contactcomprising: a switching projection, for receiving said operation givento said push-button section by contactingly receiving and being actuatedby a corresponding one of said projections on said operating shaft, whensaid operating shaft is longitudinally moved into engagements therewith;and a bipositional switch, capable of being actuated and having itsstate changed by said mechanical signal, thereby changing a state ofsaid contact making contact.